death on a tree

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It’s just after the end of a Good Friday. More than some in the past, I feel like the timing was perfect. Many of us needed it; the reminder of who Jesus was, all that He stood for and what he did … for ALL of us. I think today’s message is very simple. And very clear.

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21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”  – 1 Peter 2:21-24

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music and light

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A couple weeks ago, I received an email from World Vision inquiring if I would be interested in volunteering at the upcoming Winter Jam 2013 concert in Grand Rapids. I thought it sounded pretty awesome as 1.) I love the mission of World Vision, 2.) Winter Jam brings in a heap of amazing Christian artists and 3.) it would be free.

The concert was last night and it did not disappoint. We arrived early for a quick training and I couldn’t believe the number of people outside. The event is very cheap ($10/head) and there is no assigned seating so as soon as the doors open, screaming kids fans flock in every direction. We were fortunate enough to get right in (read: avoid waiting outside at all) and find seats in our assigned section before doors opened for general admission. The arena was completely sold out; and some, unfortunately, were turned away.

I believe it was Newsong that first made use of this giant disco ball that I’d somehow missed positioned in the middle of the arena. I’m here to tell you … when that thing lit up I think my face did also … like that of a child. It was breathtaking.

[83.365] best.disco.ball.ever.
We didn’t stay for the entire concert (what? i’m old.), but we did see several great performances, a great speaker and three people in my section signed up to sponsor World Vision children. Yay! I think my favorite part was seeing the response from the youth in the audience. We were also asked to hand out books including the Gospel of John for the main speaker. I had so many kids in my section request copies that I ran out. How awesome is that?! And out of the three sponsorships I received back, two were young men. Again, awesome.

When we left, Matthew West was performing his song ‘Strong Enough.’ In addition to everything else I witnessed last night, the song’s lyrics were such a great reminder that I’m not in this alone. Well, those and the several thousand other people around me.

” … Cause I’m broken down to nothing; But I’m still holding on to the one thing; You are God and you are strong; When I am weak.
I can do all things; Through Christ who gives me strength; And I don’t have to be strong enough, Strong enough …”

#twoweekchallenge recap

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Time flies, right? Well, that is until you are purposely avoiding something for any period of time. For the past two weeks, I avoided all beverages aside from water in support of the mission of ActiveWater.

Now, I will say I cheated. I did not drink all of my water straight from the tap. While I was at work, water was available from a Gordon cooler and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t someone with access to water choose that which is cleanest? I think they would.’ Don’t judge me. I also had water that had limes that had already been cut in it. I actually sat and debated for a second, but one of the women at the church told me that she only did that because the water was so bad there. Again, it was available and “cleaner” so I decided to take her up on it.

The past two weeks proved how much I appreciate coffee. It wasn’t so much that I neeeed it to survive, but that I like it. It’s part of my routine and honestly, one of my sources of comfort. When my Uncle Harry passed, i wanted to get a cup of joe so badly but I saw my friend Scott (another challenge participant) mention hot water as an alternative and I tried that. Surprisingly, I really liked it and it fit the bill for the time being.

I also found several opportunities to talk about what I was doing. Most people responded that they could never finish such a challenge, but it really wasn’t that hard and I also realized that yes, we are truly spoiled rotten; just like Ricky Schroder.

The good news is the only drinks I had to avoid were coffee and coconut water as I quit soda at the end of 2012 and I haven’t been drinking milk. The bad is that I found my coffee intake is pretty substantial. Remember how I mentioned part of my routine? In some ways I am very much a creature of habit.

Anyway, I kept track and you’ll find below my completed tally sheet. I crossed out the coffee costs as mine doesn’t run that low (oops). I also added my coconut water to round out my list. I’m embarrassed that I typically spend that much on coffee. That’s ridiculous. But, I’m happy that for the past two weeks that savings I racked up will go to a cause I can truly rally around.

I also want to call out my friend, Scott Swope, who introduced me to the idea of the challenge and for all of those that supported me throughout. To my friends at Water Street, I missed you and I was so very happy to see you this morning. And to ActiveWater, thank you for the work you do to provide such a basic necessity to those who would never think to take it for granted.

tally

 

a quiet sunday afternoon (in pictures)

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Well, I guess I should first clarify that our Sunday activity was the antithesis of quiet. We found ourselves at THUNDER JAM NATIONALS (and yes, you have to shout it otherwise it’s not as impactful) this past Sunday alongside a host of other truck-loving little ones.

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who doesn’t love spiderman?

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racing + jumping over cars = cool

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jet-propelled quad thingy

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transforming robots …

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who battle …

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and the good guy always wins

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chicks can jump over cars, too

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the real star of the show

Overall, just over two hours of good, clean (and loud) entertainment. And for anyone who may be curious, I did not attempt any of these stunts on the way home.

uncle harry’s sunset

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[67.375] for harry

south haven, march 8, 2013

Last Friday was a really rough day. I woke with a caffeine headache (of course!) and the knowledge that my Uncle Harry had opted out of further intervention to heal his failing body. I left work early to get some rest and in anticipation of that call. I was laying on the couch when my mom called and let me know that he had decided to go home at 4:20 in the afternoon on the same day when previously his dad was born, and his older sister was buried.

The sun was beaming in my window; it was warm and beautiful and I had this overwhelming feeling that I needed to go watch the sunset. I took my camera in the hopes that it would live up to what I’d hoped and as I sat there through tears and smiles thinking of that mischievous guy, I snapped a few photos. I sent this one to my cousins and let them both know that they were on my mind and that I watched this gorgeous sun saying goodnight just like Harry had a couple hours earlier. They opted to use the photo for the funeral program (which was a huge honor!). Inside the program was this poem:

Do you know the hour when the sun goes down is a beautiful time of day, when your task is done and the shadows fall and your worries are laid away?

Well, it’s just as true that the close of life can a beautiful sunset be, every task well done, let the shadows fall, there’s no fear of eternity. – G. Gilbert

Goodnight, Uncle Harry. Your smile, quick wit, pipe and plaid shirts will never be forgotten by this niece. Thank you for sharing that final sunset with me.