paravanes:meditations

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." --Jesus, Luke 12:6 & 7. What am I worth? Who decides? In the U.S., we recently retired a president who once boldly announced "I'm the decider!" How do I decide my own worth, my own value? Do I rely on those around me? Do I look to books, the media, my cultural or personal history? Do I recount my accomplishments or my achievements? Do I reflect on my progress in life from my earlier days to the present? Do I consider how closely I've lived up to my family's hopes and dreams? Do I look at the size of my personal or professional network? My real worth comes from the truth that I am created, loved, and remembered by God . The five sparrows sold for a few coins are not forgotten by God; neither am I. God remembers and considers me with love, concern, compassion

"The future is not a result of choices among alternative paths offered by the present, but a place that is created--created first in the mind and will, created next in activity. The future is not some place we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made, and the activity of making them changes both the maker and the destination." --John Schaar, political theorist and Professor Emeritus, University of California at Santa Cruz --Photo credit: Dore, The Creation of Light

In my last post, I promised to share some ideas about how to deal with the "sticky people" who frustrate or irritate us. Because this topic has appeared in three parts, I will review parts one and two. In part one, I quoted an email from a friend. (Thanks, Chris!) The message in the email highlights our ability to choose who "sits on the front row" of our lives. Also, the message emphasized our right and responsibility to exercise judgment and discernment in making those choices. In part two, I discussed domestic violence as an issue in family/friend relationships because domestic violence completely changes the way in which you should consider how to handle a difficult relationship. This is true whether you consider yourself a Christian or not. Being a Christian is not an excuse for turning off common sense . If someone is abusing you physically or emotionally, your only safe course of action is to physically remove yourself from the situation. Any issues of counse

--Photo Credit: Stanislav Gorb and Natural History Magazine This is a photo of a fly's sticky foot. Now you know why they can walk on ceilings! In the previous post, I discussed how relationships can change as we make God-ordained changes in our lives and how some relationships may be "left behind". Others, however, cannot be left behind and must be dealt with. "You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people you are around!" Is there a real difference between these two? You may have heard or read this famous little phrase. BUT: it is a little too slick and simple for me and there are some major qualifiers on this statement. Let's look at these qualifiers. There are some people we cannot easily (or with great difficulty) break away from. This group includes family members, co-workers, employees, neighbors, even church members. They are what I call the "sticky people." What are we going to do with these people when they are g

So far, I am sticking with my 2009 resolutions to speak clearly to others and to listen carefully to God. Each day, I am observing small and not-so-small changes in my perspective, experiences, and accomplishments. I give God all of the glory for these changes and I look forward to seeing and experiencing what's next. The message below ("Everyone Can't Sit In Your Front Row") is one I received from an email buddy just a day ago. It's not new and it's been around for a while. Still, these are thoughts I need to reinforce in my own mind because it's tempting to think I can make God-ordained changes and have everyone treat me the same as before. Not true, nor should it be. Some of my relationships will change (even covenant relationships), others will fade away, and others will become "turmoiled" (I know it's not a word, but you get the point). Some re-ordering is in order. As I considered the thoughts below, I was sensitive to not "dumping

"Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." --Psalm 127:1 Years ago, a former colleague became a licensed home builder. She studied for and passed the state licensing exam. She and her husband decided to build a new house and chose not to hire a general contractor. So, she became the general contractor after obtaining her license. She hired all of the subcontractors, oversaw their work, and ordered supplies as needed. She insured all work was up to code and in compliance with local standards. The result was a beautiful home at a reduced price with few post-completion repairs. As much as I enjoy making long term plans and creating a sense of direction and safety in accomplishing my goals, it just isn't always possible. After spending the first weeks of this year being bombarded by news reports about the dire state of the economy, I am almost ready to forget about five or three year

Yesterday, we sang the last of our Christmas hymns for this season. One of them was "Hark!The Herald the Angels Sing" and as we sang through the verses, one phrase stuck with me throughout the rest of the service: "Christ, the Everlasting Lord." Jesus in John 14:12-14 said: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." This passage has frightened or disturbed many a soul (including mine) over the years because we all know someone who asked for something and did not receive what was requested. Maybe the request was for an sick person to be healed or spared death, for a family member or child not to go astray, for a job, for admission to a school or training program, for a second chance in a relations