The Way I See It: Patience

Hidden in the midst of the piles of laundry that don't put themselves away, the dust balls that keep me from seeing the autumnal light dancing on the floor in the afternoon....

 

is the prize of patience, showing my reflection in all its glory.

  

It can often seem fleeting,

fragile, capable of bursting without warning,

but sometimes it comes to rest for awhile, helping me to love and live more fully.

Many thanks again, Molly, for The Way I See It photo prompts.  If you enjoy photography, please join the fun this week with the prompt simplicity.

The Friday Clive

From The Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves, 29 May 1918. Note: Lewis's conversion to Christianity happened in 1931.  I love seeing the chronology of Lewis's thinking and believing.

"The thing in your last letter with which I most want to disagree is the remark about Beauty and nature: apparently I did not make myself clear. You say that nature is beautiful because of its shape, colour and motions, and perhaps a little because of association. Now these colours etc are sensations in my eye, produced by vibrations on the aether between me and the tree; the real tree is something quite different - a combination of colourless, shapeless, invisible atoms. It follows then that neither the tree, nor any other material object can be beautiful in itself: I can never see them as they are, and if I could it would give me no delight. The beauty therefore is not in matter at all, but is something purely spiritual, arising mysteriously out of the relation between me & the tree: or perhaps as I suggest in my Song, out of some indwelling spirit behind the matter of the tree - the Dryad in fact. You see the conviction is gaining ground that after all Spirit does exist; and that we come in contact with the spiritual element by means of these "thrills." I fancy that there is Something right outside time & place, which did not create matter, as the Christians say, but is matter's great enemy: and that Beauty is the call of the spirit in that something to the spirit in us. You see how frankly I admit that my views have changed."

Ten2Kenya

 

I have always had small dreams. Simple pleasures, small victories, pebbles splashing in tiny ponds, this has been my realm.  But a handful of years ago I became better acquainted with my now-dear friend Lisa and her family, and at that moment I was pushed into the front row to watch what big dreams, big vision, big faith look like. I have seen them host an annual carnival to serve and love orphans and widows around the world, I have listened as their door has swung open and slammed shut to hundreds of people who come over to swim, to talk, to laugh, to be loved, I have been the recipient of their love and wisdom and frienship.  Lisa and her family do life big and they do it beautifully. 

And now their family of ten is heading to Kenya to live and work with Agape Ministries, expanding their loving arms to children who have been abandoned to life on the streets of the city of Kisumu in western Kenya. Dreaming big becomes dreaming huge when you put the wheels in motion to get eight children and their parents across the world. Plane tickets, immunizations, packing, cleaning out, and harvesting walnuts on their ranch...they are doing amazing work, and they have not even gotten to African soil yet.

When you read Agape's website, it is gut wrenching.  I can't help but stop and ask how I can contribute in my small way.  I knew we had no more money to give this month, but then the request came out for walnut harvest help; I knew we had gas in the car and three of us who could lend a helping hand, so off we went.

By the time we finished our small part on Monday, prayers of thanksgiving had been said for the completion of the harvest and the dozens (and dozens) of hands that had volunteered to help the Kjeldgaards meet their needs.  They leave for Kenya in 43 days, having seen God use so many to make this dream of serving and loving street children come true.

We love you, Kjeldgaards!  

If you would like to be a part of reaching these children on the streets of Kisumu, you can sponsor a child or you can contribute directly to the Kjeldgaard family's trip (click here to read their newsletter and see where to send your donation.)  I can attest to the integrity, work ethic and devotion of this family, and the facts about street children in Kenya attest to the dire need for this ministry to be present in Kisumu.

**Added later:  A direct link for supporting the Kjeldgaards. 

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

P.S.  This is also my The Way I See It: Community post.  Being a part of the Kjeldgaard community is a privilege and a blast.  The Way I See It photography prompt comes from Molly at Close to Home.  If you love seeing life through the lens of your camera, join in the fun each week.  Tomorrow's prompt is patience (Lord, have mercy!)

The Friday Clive

"More and more one sees how much of one's philosophy & religion is mere talk: the boldest hope is that concealed somewhere within it there is some seed however small of the real thing."

Eyes on the Prize

Paul and Silas bound in jail
Got no money for to go their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Paul and Silas thought they were lost
The dungeon shook and the chains fell off Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Freedom's name is mighty sweet
And one day soon we are gonna meet
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

I got my hand on the gospel plow
Won't take nothing for my journey now
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

The wait is slow, and we've so far to go Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

The wait is slow, and we've so far to go Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Only chain a man can stand
Is that chain of hand on hand
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

Ain't no man on earth control
The weight of glory on a human soul.
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.

The wait is slow, and we've so far to go Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on

The wait is slow, and we've so far to go Keep your eyes on the prize [x3]

When you see a man walk free,
It makes you dream of jubilee.

When you see a child walk free,
It makes you dream of jubilee.

When you see a family free,
It makes you dream of jubilee.

Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.

An interview with Sara Groves about International Justice Mission

You're invited

Friday 11/11/11
Zack Wheeler
w/Jack Darwin, California Child, Akhethar, Some Seek Forgiveness
Doors Open : 7:00 PM Show Starts : 8:00 PM
$10.00 advance Buy Tickets Online directly from the Boardwalk.

Looking forward to another evening of loud and proud!

Zack Wheeler Music is on facebook.



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And at the risk of winning a strange award for the most divergent blog content found in one post, I offer you:

Fuller Seminary Northern California presents… N. T. Wright November 16, 2011

Fremont Presbyterian Church, 5770 Carlson Drive, Sacramento, CA 95819

Afternoon Session: The Challenge of Paul For Tomorrow's World 1:30 p.m. • $15 Recent trends in academic research have generated much discussion concerning the writings of Paul, but what impact will this have on the future? N. T. Wright will share his perspectives and will dialogue with a panel of local biblical and theological scholars. Panel Members include: Dr. Daniel Kirk, assistant professor of New Testament, Fuller Seminary, and author of Unlocking Romans and Jesus I Have Loved, But Paul? Rev. Peter Rodgers, adjunct professor of New Testament, Fuller Seminary; Rector of St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Antelope; and author of Text and Story. Dr. Libby Vincent, adjunct professor of theology, Fuller Seminary; speaker; and author of "All Glory, Laud and Honor to . . . Contemporary Worship?", in Insights: The Faculty Journal of Austin Theological Seminary.   Evening Session: Kingdom and Cross—The Forgotten Message of the Gospels 7:00 p.m. • $10 Dr. Wright will share insights into why the church has embraced an "either/or" mentality regarding the message of salvation rather than embracing the work of making the world a better place. He will provide practical ideas on how to adopt a "both/and" approach to believing and doing. Want to come?  More information and tickets are available here:  N.T. Wright registration.

I'd love to see you in the quiet of the pews at Fremont Pres. or at the dark and not so quiet concert venue.  If you are coming, let me know. 

Road trip

Autumn's beauty is displaying itself boldly outside Madelaine's window in Eugene.  It was perfect Oregon weather for our trip north:  blue sky, a little rain, then plenty of fresh, cool air.  We were in town for a debate tournament, but I was able to sneak away on Thursday and spend the day with my marvelous daughter.  She came down with a nasty bug on Friday, so I was all the more grateful that we took the time away on Thursday.

A gorgeous drive to Harrisburg led to apple picking, difficult pumpkin decisions, and the chance for me to enjoy watching last year's roommates and their rich friendship.

Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.  ~ Aristotle

Apple picking in the autumn, watching friends quietly chatting, being with my daughter...it was a beautiful day. I am grateful.

The Way I See It: Growth

picture from the archives

One minute you are celebrating the fact that they can tie their own shoes.....

Debate tournament ready

and before you know it.....

you are polishing their wingtips and ironing their button-down.

Growing up...it happens fast.



Enjoy photography? Join Molly this Friday for The Way I See It: Community

The Friday Clive

"We were talking about cats and dogs the other day and decided that both have consciences

but the dog, being an honest, humble person, always has a bad one, but the cat is a Pharisee and always has a good one.

When he sits and stares you out of countenance he is thanking God that he is not as these dogs, or these humans, or even as these other cats!"

The Way I See It: Peace

“You have been given questions to which you cannot be given answers. You will have to live them out - perhaps a little at a time."

"And how long is that going to take?"

"I don't know. As long as you live, perhaps."

"That could be a long time."

"I will tell you a further mystery," he said. "It may take longer.”

Wendell Berry, Jayber Crow

I am beginning to realize that an eternal perspective is essential to peace.  I am not the beginning and the end, the world is not revolving around me; the story is so much bigger than my immediate life, or even my entire life.  That is a relief to me.  It is funny how when I come to accept that fact it makes life more precious, each moment more available, and life itself more peace-filled.
 

Each week I look out at the world through Molly's photo prompt and I see this creative exercise weave its way into my contemplation and prayer. Not only has peace been a photo prompt, it has been part of the Lectionary at church and therefore the subject of a fabulous sermon.  These familiar words were perfectly timed:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6&7

Not unlike joy (and if you missed the discussion on joy, you can find the post and the wise and encouraging comments here), peace is one of those things that can seem elusive, diminishing when life gets hard. But the peace we want is not based on ourselves, our circumstances, this moment in time.  It is the peace that comes from putting worries into thankful prayers, and seeing God's peace guarding our hearts and our minds in Christ.  Wow.  That is the kind of peace I want to know.

There is something about the changing seasons that reinforces this eternal perspective and its peace.  The darkness comes earlier, and we have time to light candles and enjoy the evening.

 

The acorns are falling, the leaves are changing colors, the time for planting bulbs and cutting back perennials is here.   As a friend wrote to me this morning, "Life is precious...I keep thinking about how life changes so rapidly while pretending to stay the same, and telling  myself to really be in each moment, appreciating, savoring.  I think if we could really know what a fragile gift life is, we would be living more peaceful, kind, and loving lives."  Some seasons do pretend to stay the same, to last forever, and yet it is in the changes of the natural world that we are reminded again and again that time is marching on.

We have been hit with two rain storms in the last week, and as I type this morning the rain drops are loudly landing on the roof.  The ground is happily soaking up the water, and I can see bits of green overtaking the depressing brown of summer.  Seasons change, time moves on, worries will come and go; the constant can be thankfulness in prayer, and finding true peace as my heart's guard.

The Way I See It is a weekly photo prompt from Molly at Close to Home. I have been so happy to see two friends joining in: Tolle Scribe and The Autumn Rain. Next week's prompt is growth...why don't you join in the fun, too!

I love figs

 

A large pile of ripe figs became a delicious dinner last weekend.  I cooked the fruit over low heat, added half a bottle pinot noir and a sprig of rosemary, and let the liquid reduce to a thick, burgundy sauce.  While the sauce reduced, I browned the pork roast and put it in the crock pot. Adding the sauce, I let it cook until the house was filled with the delicious fragrance.  

Cheesy polenta was the base for the tender meat and sauce.  

Yumola. 

The Friday Clive

"Humanity does not pass through phases as a train passes through stations: being alive, it has the privilege of always moving yet never leaving anything behind. Whatever we have been, in some sort we are still."

The Way I See It: Evening

Some evenings are for pulling in the driveway and being greeted by the warmth of light and life inside.

Or for watching the beams of the sun's final seconds fall upon the rustic wood in the kitchen,

and noticing the sunset with jaw-dropping awe.

But some evenings are spent on the road, being parent groupies, all set for an evening of loud and proud.

 

It was a solo acoustic night for Zack.

 

 You can learn a lot about your son when you hear his music, watch the joy as his fingers dance on the strings, see his heart in his lyrics.

It was a marvelous evening.  Thanks, Zack.