- manifestations of a King's servant -

Arkansas - the Natural State

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:55:00 +0000

Ok. For starters... I have no idea what it means by 'The Natural State".

Here is a list of random life happs in the grand land of Arkansas-

Sweet Tea - nectar of the gods. We may not have fresh water, but by golly let their be sweet tea!
2 new addictions - 1) bejeweled blitz on facebook and 2) tennis. I am going to be the next Serena Williams (ha.)
I am getting some reading done. Currently working on the C.S. Lewis Space Trilogy
Got a killlllllller massage today.
Doing some sleeping in.
Went to a fish fry last night. If that doesn't scream the 'south', then I don't know what
Newest employee at Nike. It's a pretty sweet set up.

Hmmm..

That's all that comes to mind. That and I am horrible at maintaining this blog. But here are some pictures for your pleasure:

Grace just learned how to show some love by kissing.... Mylo the cat as her next victim.

- Showing some love to her pink bunny -

-Reaching up to peruse some leisure reading...

-Spending some quiet time in The Word-

"Ah yes, I believe the passage on predestination is right here....."

-She l-o-v-e-s sticking out her tongue.

the happenings

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:20:00 +0000

first, let's take time to look at this precious pic:

second - here are my latest ramblings during this festive season of thanksgiving...

third - i am using this blog to productively procrastinate finishing a book and typing a 10-page paper with it. i am just spend with that class...and it will get done sooner or later.

ok...the latest happenings:

my niece is a-d-or-able. it has been about 3 months since I have seen her, and she has grown sooooo much! she is pretty much the coolest thing ever. My family is so blessed to have her, and for the first time, i mentally justified in my head that I could see myself moving closer to home in the future to be near this tyke. she is so precious that she nearly brings me to tears.
i went snowboarding this last week for the first time of the season! although i had to take it easy a bit with my recovering ankle (geriatric style) it felt good. it was great to hear my board carve against the snow and enjoy the beauty. i am a bit sore from the day, but it was well worth it. i hope to make it out quite a bit!
It's true. I am slowly becoming a coffee snob. during my time in hastings over this thanksgiving break, I ventured to the local coffee house 'the blue moon' to check out the competition.... being a barista and all. After analyzing their menu, inquiring on a few drinks, and noting the cost, I concluded that it was a good coffee shop, but i still appreciate 'solid grounds' thoroughly. at least we steam are milk waaaaay better! ha. here's to you coffee lovers - SALUD!
This thanksgiving break has already been memorable thus far, and is not over. this is the list of things that have happened thus far:

went to grand island, did some shopping, went to a dentist, went to an orthodontist, got my wire off but getting a retainer, stopped to get a new cell phone, seen my niece, seen my family, went out for a birthday supper--got a steak and was embarrassed with a happy birthday song, ran into people i know
what is on the agenda--traveling, working on a paper, grace's baby dedication, seeing my older sister brandy, chiropractor appointment, possible haircut for my shag, skers and buffs game! (go skers!), getting to see amber for a bit, eat some good food, have good conversations, and just enjoy life.

There is definitely something appealing about Hastings, Nebraska... as odd as that may seem, the majority of folk here have a grasp on what it means to live a simplistic life. I am down with that.....but Colorado has the mountains. :D

life as i know it

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 02:14:00 +0000

to start... i realize that i am absolutely terrible at keeping up with this blog.

my apologies to whoever you are.

couple of announcements about life:

(1) got a scooter. yes, that is right.
(2) saw Sigur Ros in concert. do yourself a favor and check out their newest album Med sud i eyrum vid spilum endalaust (With a buzz in our ears we play endlessly). They are icelandic, if you didn't pick up on the NOT English album title.
(3) I just got my snowboarding pass tonight for 1/2 off! attempting to try out Winter Park and Copper this snowboarding season.....ahhh i cannot wait!
(4) My foot is still healing..... slowly..... I may make a trip back to the Doctors sometime soon.
(5) I am probably moving in with a family in a month or so! Goodbye over expensive apartment complex!

I read Psalm 51 the other day and it literally knocked my socks off. I thought I would put it on here to read... It's in the message version.

Psalm 51

Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.
Scrub away my guilt,
soak out my sins in your laundry.
I know how bad I've been;
my sins are staring me down.

You're the One I've violated, and you've seen
it all, seen the full extent of my evil.
You have all the facts before you;
whatever you decide about me is fair.
I've been out of step with you for a long time,
in the wrong since before I was born.
What you're after is truth from the inside out.
Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I'll let loose with your praise.

Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.

Make Zion the place you delight in,
repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls.
Then you'll get real worship from us,
acts of worship small and large,
Including all the bulls
they can heave onto your altar!

Oh dear David.... how you write what at times I am feeling. This psalm was just so extremely powerful to me. Resonated a lot with how I have been feeling and what to do in life at this time. May this psalm encourage or convict you during your day and may we live out a life continuously learning how to live our lives for the glory of the Lord.

Oh, and my hair is long.... I need a hair cut

Adventures in Arkansas.

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:09:00 +0000

I am in Arkansas. Been here since Thursday. Leaving bright and early on Tuesday Morning.

Here are some random pics of the time in the South:

I decided to cave in on the cast and go above and beyond. Instead of random name signings, Amber decorated the majority of the cast. I get some looks.

Hanging out watching the Olympics.
Being true to the Red, White, and Blue.
Random concluding thoughts:

Sweet Tea = love.
Arkansas. Not too bad. a little humid, but nice.
Met some great folk.
I dig the Mill.
I am not ready to head back to Colorado and start school.
I saved a good amount on textbooks... via online of course.
I am going to miss Amber.

check off the list

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:13:00 +0000

check it off the list. got it done.
it means "beloved" if you were a bit curious. :)

thoughts, fireworks, and goals

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:29:00 +0000

Some random thoughts:

my niece is adorable. i'm sorry, i might be biased, but wow.
finalized my tattoo decision... and will be getting that soon...and posting pictures soon as well
my lovely dog decided that his 30+ toys (most from the grandparents) was not sufficient, so we decided to chew on a great thing called my retainer.... $200 later, I will be getting a new one
on the same note, as of tomorrow, I will have had Oliver for a year. Yep...the day after the 4th I decided my impulse purchase for a dog could not wait any longer.... wow... time flies.
New goals:

I want to complete an entire crossword puzzle
I want to climb a 14.... maybe not this season... but I hope to climb all of them.
I want to read 1 book a month... regardless of school or not.

Well... I guess that is all for now. I will post more soon when I think of more..

Oh HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

the latest dish

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Sun, 25 May 2008 06:00:00 +0000

Here are some recent pictures of my latest love and me:

some of the latest dish:

- summer is almost here.
- i have ventured downtown 2 times already
- went hiking in the mountains the other day
- getting a chance to catch some rays at the pool
- downloading some stellar music
- saw Prince Caspian
- solidifying my tattoo decision
- dropped my New Testament class (decided my brain needed a break :D)
- in conjunction with the previous statement, I received my first C+ ever. Kudos to you Grad School!
- going home soon to see the family, niece, friends, etc.
- have a roommate for the summer and it is amazing
- still on the hunt for a scooter... so if anyone wants to contribute to the Lacey needs cash let me know.

- just turned on my TV today for the first time in....weeks (this does not include movies)
- iced green tea lattes from Starbucks are my latest fetish
- Amber took my bike in finally for a tune-up... so I will get a chance to ride it this summer!
- got an offer to live in a house with some folk for the next year... have to make a decision in the next few months....need to pray about that.
- brought a piano back to practice on, but don't have the adapter to turn it on... so will be Ebay-ing for that soon.

That's all off the top of my head. Besides my practicum and spiritual formation group, I am hoping for this summer to be pretty chill.

.grace elliot.

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Born at 7:37am on 5/14

8 lbs 6 oz.

20 inches

little grace elliot.

how precious is she. i am so beyond excited to be her aunt! what a privilege! My sister is doing well, resting a lot.

i get to go home on tuesday to hold the precious babe. i will take more pictures when i am home.

how can a person watch the miraculous process of pregnancy and birth and see a child and NOT believe there is a Divine Creator.

And those are my thoughts. have a blessed day.

And here is the news...

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:00:00 +0000

Ok..This is going to be a quick blog. A lot has been going down, so I'll update in a Campbell's Soup Condensed version:

Oli is back in Colorado!

My dad went to the hospital for a few days while they are trying to figure out all that jazz with not feeling his legs.... turns out he has a rare disease called Guillian-Barre or something like. Been a crazy thing... pretty trying on the family...considering the whole workman's comp issue.
With dad in the hospital, I jetted back to Nebraska, staying there for a little under a week. With less than 3 weeks of school left before the summer, I have a LOT to do.
I wish we didn't rely on sleep so much...I just could get a lot more done!

I am starting to learn Latte Art, and making some fun designs
I want to buy a scooter. Like I am really considering-slash-going to.... if I get a scooter, I'll have to get my motorcycle's license. I'll be a road-hog-mama? :)
Went to a Rockies vs. Cubbies game. It was pretty stellar, despite the Rockies losing.
Oli got sick. Took him to the hospital. He's ok. Just picked up a bug. Poor little guy.
I have seen Across the Universe for a grand total of about 7 times. Loving it more and more.
Starting to think about getting that tattoo again. Will probably get it sometime during the summer.
Sister's due date = 22 days. = joy, joy, joy.
18 more days until school is out.
I met a new friend. I would like to keep her around for a while. She's pretty special.
I cannot wait to walk in green grass, bare foot..... I have a list of books to read, sitting on my shelf.
I have been getting a feeling that I should postpone my internships... possibly to research other ones... or maybe change my approach to where I am going? Who knows.

That is the update. More to come. Pray for a steadfast and studious mind and heart during these next few weeks. Be blessed folks. Hope all is well on your journey.

a must read.

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:37:00 +0000

i am not a big fan of long-distance traveling via car and solo.

so this last venture back to colorado I happened to stop at my hometown's public library to browse the 'audio books' section.

after narrowing the choice to 3 books, totaling approximately 25 hours of books (only for a 6 hour drive mind you) i settled on making my first listening choice with "Marley and Me".

The story is basically an autobiography of a guy, his family, and his unforgettable and crazy dog, Marley....and all the valuable lessons and memories he learns from the experience with Marley.

I believe I subconsciously chose this book above the rest to live vicariously through the author...since Oliver is vacationing. :D

Wow. It's been a great book. I am almost done and I can honestly say I look forward to get into my car to listen to the book....and even drive longer routes and slower to keep listening.

It's a sad one and a good one. Not for the faint in heart.... :) Or maybe it is the overly sentimental and sobby animal lover in me.

check it out when you get the chance. it has some great things to take home regarding unconditional love, loyalty, and priorities in life. who would have thought a book about a dog could offer so much insight and reflection!

where does time go?

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:30:00 +0000

for starters, it's been a while for me writing.

spring break came.... and left.
jos got to come out here, which was such a good time...can't wait to go visit her soon in chi-cago!

life seems to be going at such a crazy pace right now....I am working ALOT at the coffee shop, which has been an amazing experience... but sleepless nights and piling homework are on the rise and I need to figure out some time to get all that jazz done.

(Jos and I and our boarding adventures)

And on top of that, I left my 'baby' vacationing with the 'grandparents'.
It is amazing to see how much your life can be fixed around a little booger of a dog. I almost seem lost when I don't have to get up in the morning for a outdoor bathroom visit. The other night, I dropped some food on the ground and raced to pick it up....Only coming through and realizing that Oliver was not there to gobble it up. I definitely have developed a greater appreciation for the mothers and fathers of small ones in this world!

You can say that I miss him. a lot.

Here is a pic of Oli after I brought him home... I think he was 2 months when I took this pic. Man.... crazy to think how much he has grown and how long ago that seems.

Well.... I must venture off into the world of academia. Will attempt to burn the midnight oil in hopes of tackling my assignments.... including a HUGE New Testament paper... which is due in 1 week. yikes!

I might be as tired as I look in this picture, but I know that things will get done... they always do. I also know that my Father is loving and will be the only sufficient fuel to rejuvenate me. Wherever you are, whoever you are, I hope this finds you in times of goodness and love.

a 'to-do' list

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:58:00 +0000

so i like to do lists.

i make them for school. i make them for work. if i do something that was not originally on my to do list, i will write it on there, only to cross it off.

ha. call me motivated. call me one that aspires to accomplish goals. a little compulsive? maybe so.

well, i also have a life 'to-do' list. it's things i would like to accomplish sometime in my life. some may be easier than others. some are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. well, here are a few that are currently on my list of one's to accomplish sooner than later:

learn how to play the piano.
get another tattoo.
organize a budget for my money.
board down the mountain without falling once.
climb my first 14-er this summer.
take attempt #2 at learning Greek.
go to Africa.
need less, love more.
volunteering.
become a prayer warrior.

some might seem unattainable. some might not seem on a normal to do list. call it a challenge. i'm ready. i'm up for the task.

one thing to take off my older list: working at a coffee shop. check. starting this month, call me barista.

shalom.

counting sheep and countdowns

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 09:59:00 +0000

well...

i can't sleep.

i really don't know why. i woke up at 8:30 this morning.... no naps.... a little bit of pop and sunshine and a lot of reading and homework throughout the day.....but now, i'm just not tired.

so what better way to wind down then listen to some chill music and blog?

there are some big countdowns comin my way. for starters:

countdown #1: Jos' arrival into Colorado!
time left: approximately 14 days (aka 2 weeks)
we'll be boarding it up on the mountains, spending some quality time, and simply catching up and enjoying the time we have. i sure do miss that girl.

so to build the hype for her arrival, i found some pictures (oldies but goodies) from our last few times in colorado together:

-camping trip- although it was a bit sunnier and warmer, we will be seeing these mountains again soon. this was on our camping trip this summer, before we all parted ways.... a gorgeous view of Longs Peak in the back.

-thanksgiving time- some good food. fellowship. being goofy. hanging with the bachman's.

a little bit of huskers vs. buffs action.

even though we were hopeful...

unfortunately... the buffs stomped on us. :(

countdown #2: baby carlstrom arrives!!!
time left: 77 days, 7 hours... and some odd minutes and seconds.

my sister is getting h-u-g-e!

i just recalled when i was first informed of this grand news, which was right before thanksgiving... can't believe how fast time flies.

i cannnnnnnooooooot wait to be an aunt! i know it will be a while until the babe talks, but i cannot wait to hear 'aunt lacey'.... well, it will probably come out more like 'ant wacey' or 'an wazey'....but hey, I am down with it!

mom gave me the word tonight that the baby's name is officially picked out! but that really doesn't help when we do not know the gender or will know the name until the little babe arrives...which is going to be sooooon!

i have already realized that most of my government loans are rapidly being distributed to Baby Gap. Darn them for making their clothes and sales too much to resist.

"Hello, my name is Lacey...and.... I am a baby clothes addict." It's true.

Well. With the two countdowns and also THE OFFICE coming back on with new episodes in 39 days (Countdown to April 10th, I believe), I am more than motivated with school and work till these tick down!

As a depart for the evening/morning and begin to count sheep, I leave you with this profound quote on what it means to be imperfect human trying to live a decent life:

"Guess what? I have flaws. What are they? Oh I don't know... I sing in the shower. Sometimes I spend too much time volunteering. Occasionally I'll hit somebody with my car. So sue me. No, don't sue me... that's the opposite of the point I'm trying to make."

- Michael Gary Scott.

one pretty lucky gal

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:25:00 +0000

So this morning I happened to shut my alarm off in my sleep and not wake up in time to go snowboarding this morning with friends. Could my going to bed at 2 am and then attempting to wake up at 5:45 am play a bit of a factor? Some say so. Well, despite not getting to spend the day in the mountains (which I will go sooner then later), things have been going pretty stellar. I have been making a valiant effort to be a studious seminarian learner. I have discovered the meaning on how love has no bounds--even if you are time zone apart and 15 hours away. I have realized there are some amazing people in this world, which I am so blessed to meet. I finally have found comfort in the solitude of life, being still and quiet in the presence of God.

I am one pretty lucky gal.

some fun pics for your pleasure. a little less studying and a little more having fun, in the library.

i love these girls. they are great.

be blessed folks. be blessed.

One Wacky Family

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:05:00 +0000

So my mom called the other night... and before we got off the phone, see wanted to speak to Oliver.

Here is how it unfolded.

Oh how amazing. That is my family. In a nutshell. :D

babbling renditions.

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:58:00 +0000

just realizing i am in a pretty reflective mindset today.

there are just a lot of things running threw my mind...
too many to put on this blog.

sitting here in the library, studying and reading about the sovereignty of God gets me thinkin a bit:

God is sooo good. too good for us sometimes.

although i am technically 'poor' (via government loans), I have provisions in excess; therefore, i am blessed beyond comprehension.

i am thankful i have the chance to be here, learning freely and openly about my faith. many of our brothers and sisters across the world are not so fortunate.

i am grasping the concept of community, fellowship, solitude, and prayer more and more everyday.
i love colorado. mostly, i am captivated by the beauty and the fact that i know i was called here.... for something i am here.
i am settling more and more in rest and assurance that God has a plan for me outside of this joint... whether colorado, another state, or another continent. i am excited for the journey. i am excited to serve.
i absolutely love my dog ---->

Ok, so there are a few things going through my head.

I hope this finds you in good measure and that you have a blessed day.

Shalom.

Seminary - I'm a Colorado-ian

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:55:00 +0000

Well, this is a quick post.

I was actually thinking the other day when was the last time I had actually wrote on this thing... well, it has been a while. Same with my journal too...unfortunately.

God had really rocked my face off this summer and confirmed the plans of going to Denver Seminary... whooowe! It was a big step. First, I had never been out of state permanently before. Second, I really did not know what was in store at the Seminary.

Well...it has been almost 2 months since I have moved out here. I have met some amazing people, been through the wringer with struggles--especially coming to terms on how much it actually costs for 1 person to breathe air in this world! It's ridiculous. Seminary here is good. They told us at the beginning that if we were coming here to receive a "Christian Status" for being at a Seminary, or if we thought that we would become 'super-Christians' by being here, we definitely had another guess coming. It definitely has not been a spiritual high here. Granted, I have learned a lot in my studies and through that, I am beginning to question and solidify what I believe and why I believe that. School is challenging. You really cannot compare undergrad with this...it is night and day. Sometimes (more times than none) it is overwhelming. There simply is not enough time in the day to read and spend time chewing on the material. You have to get things done, and they do expect a lot out of you.

Right now is midterms--which is pretty much over the duration of 2 weeks. I know. yuck. There is so much I should be doing right now, and I will probably end up staying up till the wee hours of the morning...but such is life. Besides being in midterms (which is enough to make your brain hurt) I am just in this weird place right now. It is hard to describe. It feels almost like an out of body experience where you step back and look at your life as it is happening. I am trying to figure out life, and God, and the purposes of it all. I am trying to think not only of next semester classes, but really where God wants me after this Seminary education. I am looking ahead further into the future...hopefully a husband....a family... little kiddies... I am trying to figure out how to worship God in my studies when I am tackling a 41 page review over a Counseling Theories test (which only covers a maximum of half of what is going to be on the actual test).

Most pressing--> I am really trying to figure out who I am. I know that sound have been accomplished somewhere many years ago, but for some reason, I am still trying to figure that out. We have taken a plethora of personality tests and career and life assessment tests, and I find those always a struggle. It's almost like there is this battle on figuring out what I actually am and what I actually want to put down. I am beginning to realize that somethings about me don't make sense...heck, if I am having difficulties figuring out myself, how are my friends supposed to? I am trying to figure out why I think the way I think... why I do the things I do... why I react the way I do in certain situations... and how to work on that.

I suppose that I could keep on writing and writing and dig deeper into the abyss of my mind, but this will suffice for now. Whoever is reading this, I hope all is well... and hopefully, I will try to update this sooner than later.

GO ROCKIES!

MODERN DAY SLAVERY

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Tue, 22 May 2007 03:29:00 +0000

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Gandhi

Some Stats:

there are around 27 million slaves in the world today--more than ever in the history
the average cost of a slave during the African slave trade = $40,000. Today the average slave costs $90.
Location: all over the world. Specific -> South Asia (India, Pakistan, Nepal), Brazil, Parts of Africa (Sudan, Uganda)
Human Trafficking = 600,000-800,000 people per year. worlds 3rd largest criminal business (right behind drug selling and arms dealing)
Slave demographics: mostly women & children
Slave situations: brick kiln maker/layer, prostitution, rock quarriers, cigarette rollers, match makers, etc.
REASONS for becoming a slave: kidnapped, sold by family for debt problems, promised better lives, deceived.

Father - why, in the modern day, is this the biggest it's ever been?
why don't more people know about this?
what is going to make this stop?
what is your purpose for this?
who is our modern-day William Wilberforce?

I read the statistics & stories & gringe. Goosebumps arise on my arms & my stomach churns with an overdose of hurt & disgust. It's hard to imagine that people are walking around on this earth, shackled in chains & losing memory on what freedom is. Here I sit, miles away from this, comfortably resting in a coffee shop. I complain of a headache, sore throat. I worry about a currently embarking journey of a directionless life. "life is hard". What a joke. There are living, breathing human beings currently residing on this planet who are 4 times younger than me that have & will continue to endure more unfathomable hardships than I will possibly never endure in an entire lifetime. These children are stripped or sold from their houses, working 16+ hour days to make less than $1....but that is IF they make their work quota. They go & work in early childhood to help with a family debt. I watched cartoons, drank Kool-Aid, & attended preschool at the age of 5. what a stark contrast.

Why is it like this Father?

My heart hurts. It angers me. But more importantly, this convicts me. Father, instead of nullifying this hurt or having the world fill my mind with worldly things of my selfish life, I beg that you make this hurt more. The more I read & learn about these terrible atrocious situations, I please you brand these facts, pictures, & stories in my hart. Let my heart's aches and feelings mirror the feelings of the millions of modern day slaves at this exact moment.

Where can you use me Lord?

I feel like these passionate feelings & desires towards Modern Day Slavery was not coincidental. With everything there is a purpose. What is this supposed to mean & look like in my life? How did Wilburforce keep his passion for 20+ years to eventually abolish slavery?

Why do passions fade away in my life?

These people do NOT deserve this. No living creature does. Kids are experiencing things that no kid at their age should ever experience. These circumstances are abnormally affecting their overall development, reason at life, and their self-worth.

Statistics point that some of these people will take their own lives to experience a "freedom" that they never knew of in the bondages on this earth.

I am just overwhelmed at all of this. There are so many people that need to be saved from the captives that are robbing their lives of all that they are worth.

Can I make a difference?
But I think the greater question is: WILL I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

I definitely need to research more about all of this. I long to read the pages written by Wilburforce, discovering his secret to passion in his own words. I know even though Wilburforce ended slavery 200 years ago, you will continue to use his words to ignite and intertwine in passionate hearts in this mattter that long to serve your Kingdom.

Where do I begin?

I pray you guide my path. May I absorb knowledge supernaturally. I pray my passion not only burns on my heart, but also burning my tongue & actions. If I seek this to obtain personal gain or in any way have ill motives, I pray I realize my intentions are not pure & I know that I am ineffective to your Kingdom. I need to keep my mindset directed Heavenly, not worldly. I pray you would instill this passion in others' hearts as well.

How can non-Christian people have a passion to help & serve others and be completely on fire for their mission while at times Christians are absolutely complacent with attending church on Sunday and leaving it at that? What is the secret to these non-Christian followers? Are they in it to enhance resumes, build their pride, look better for helping? how can they truly want & crave to help others & 'love' them when their love is no where near comparable to the Love of Christ that should pour out from believers? This perplexes me. If there are non-Christians out there impacting the world & passionately speaking for a truth--how greater can Christians be in this situation? We should blow people out of the water with our service, love, and desire that is solely from our Father.

But we don't.
We follow the crowd.

More & more I am hating this word 'comfortable'. This should not be a word in a Christian's lexicon. The enemy came to steal, kill, and destroy... but Jesus came to give life and give life to the full.

Christians, I urge a challenge as Christ-Followers, we take this verse to heart and give life to the hopeless, the oppressed, and the innocent slaved people that feel like they are living in Hell on Earth.

LET'S BE THE CHANGE.

The grace of wonder.

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:02:00 +0000

I would love to think there is some ounce of my brain that could have thought this prayer up...this is not my prayer, but it is my desire.

So many times in our lives we are just walking through the day just to get it done and simply not enjoying the small wonders of God's infinite love for us. When have you spent time gazing into the stars? What about rolling the window down in a car while driving and letting the air glide through your fingers? How about sitting on a park bench absorbing all the action of fall with a playground full of children screaming to the top of their lungs with joy?

We wake up. We grumble and groan that the sun is on our eyes...it woke us up.

We complain about traffic. If only that person in front of us would go 2 mph over, then I would beable to get to work, school, or wherever 1 minute earlier than I am now!

We sigh a breath muttering a prayer in hopes the week will fly so the weekend will come... only to have the weekend fly and the week anew fill up the exact request.

This is my prayer. Not for health, success, riches, fame, good luck, or anything else. Simply the grace of wonder:

"Dear Lord, grant me the grace of wonder. Surprise me, amaze me, awe me in every crevice of Your universe. Delight me to see how Your Christ plays in 10,000 places, lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not His, to the Father through the features of men's faces. Each day enrapture me with Your marvelous things without number. I do not ask to see the reason for it all. I ask only to share the wonder of it all."
-Joshua Abraham Heschel

Ruthless Trust?

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 15:17:00 +0000

Trust.

It's a simple word, but has a profound meaning. What does it mean to trust? Able to tell someone a secret, trusting they will keep it? Trusting someone with something valuable of yours? Trusting someone with your lives?

As Christians, we are not necessarily called to have 'faith', to 'hope', or to 'believe'....but to have a radical, off-the-wall, ruthless trust. A trust in our Father with no strings attached. A trust so wild that you are willing to let your Father take you to the unknowns of the world and not know the outcome... but be perfectly ok with that.

A question if I have ever had this type of Trust. I think so many times in the lives of Christians we claim to trust the Maker especially during times of prosperity when the sun is shining and there is not a care in the world... but do we Trust God during the dark times? During the times of lonliness, loss, during times of struggling hardships and adversity? I do believe a majority of people would have backed out by now, trying to get a reimbursement for their ticket.

Oh how God longs for us to completely trust Him. Not just trusting Him in the small details of life, or the good things in life... but THROUGH IT ALL. If, as Christians, God would not call us to trust Him, there would be no challange for us. It is just the same as if we knew everything that was going to happen to us in life before it actually did....we would have no sense in relying in someone of a greater power to direct our lives. Hence, no purpose for Christianity and definitely no purpose for God to sacrifice His son if humans would know-it-all and handle things by themselves.

When I was a child, I turned to my parents for pretty much everything in life towards survival. They provided shelter, food, clothing, all of my needs. I without a doubt trusted that they would come through on their bargin--they had before. And even sometimes when situations changed or hardships came and our family was in a finanical bind or I how I thought a situations was going to be handled was not handled that way, I still trusted wholeheartedly that my parents would know the right thing to do and in the end, take care of me no matter what. Why don't we have that all-out trust like a child?

Although it would not necessarily make life easier, it would make it less-stressful on our parts.

Trust should challange us, stretch us; but most importantly, Trust should comfort us. Our Father wants nothing more than for His children to rest completely and tightly in His arms while He deals with the plans of our lives.

All we need is a radical Trust just to follow His footsteps, wherever they will lead us.

The humility of a baby

noreply@blogger.com (LReineke) — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 17:58:00 +0000

just a quick thought. i went at saw the movie The Nativity the other day. and I cannot believe how many new thoughts came into my mind of the well-known birth of jesus.

in the movie, king herod is freaking out because prophecy is saying there will be a king that will rule the world from the lineage of david. in order to prevent this man, they had people go back to their home towns to conduct a census and look for a suspicious man that might be rich and powerful that is from bethlehem.

they never found that man. because what they needed to look for was a baby.

how crazy is that. God came down here on earth into something so little, fragile, dependent. Jesus could have never survived on his own at that age, let alone be the king of kings. he cried just like other babies did, was hungry, was cold.

he was soooo vulnerable. and that just blows my mind

for anyone reading this that might doubt faith, 'religion', christianity, or even a guy named Jesus, I questioned you from this story, how can you NOT believe in it? This shows that there is in fact a God who loves us. He came down on earth as one of the most fragile beings and was born in the most humble of ways. He wanted Jesus to grow up as a human so he could fully related to everyone here on earth. All of our trials, temptations, struggles...when we here on earth go through these we CANNOT say that Jesus doesn't understand because HE DOES. The only difference between Him and us is that He was the perfect example.

The birth also shows God's complete vulnerability towards mankind. The God that has made a universe so vast that it is beyond our comprehension; a God that is so self-sufficient that He could create anything He desired to fulfill His needs.. but He choose us. He choose desiring to have personal relationships with everyone, and LOVE everyone here in this world...even though most of us do not reciprocate that love. He choose to be vulnerable to show us how MUCH He longs to be near us.

I know there are some amazing authors that have written some classic literature here in on this earth, but how could any one ever think of this? Kings and mighty rulers are born in palaces, high places, with gold and everything at a fingers reach.

This King was born among animals, straw, the darkness of the night, coldness, and yea, it pry even smelled....It was a quiet night with no blimp circling around bethlehem to announce the Savior has been born to all... what amazing Humility.

There is so much more to talk about... even the fact that Mary and Joseph were pretty much holding God in their arms.. how. I wonder if they could fathom the depth of that.

And this is the Great King I serve.

Happy belated Holidays to all, have a restful break!