Baby

I was holding my seventh month old cousin, Brodie a few moments ago when it hit me...Brodie looks a lot like Baby off the TV show Dinosaurs.  Brodie is not as chubby as Baby, but their eyes do favor...

My cousin is way cuter :)

Love

Sometimes I don't know what to write.  I feel my thoughts are not as deep as many of my colleagues.  On the other hand, it is possible that I am not intentional in my thoughts.  I often write the first thing that comes to mind.  

The thing I am thinking about at the moment is Wal-Mart.  Construction will soon begin on a new Super Wal-Mart that will be located across from my home.  I cringe when I think about this.  In the past, I've been a fan of these stores.  Where else can you get groceries, underwear, DVDs, and your tires changed all at the same time.  These stores allow the consumer to shop at very low prices.  What about the little man?  How will this store affect the downtown merchants in Wallace?  Will people even need to go downtown when they can get everything from Super Wal-Mart?  Will people lose their jobs?  How will this construction affect the environmental stability in the area?  Will little creatures be displaced and will these little animals(such as field mice) try to share my home?  Will traffic flow increase(duh!)?  

Yes, this store will provide many jobs(at minimum wage and little benefits), and the opportunity for more retail chains and restaurants to move into the area.  

What saddens me the most is that our society is so consumer driven.  Why can't we be content with what we have?  Why is it so important for people to have more stuff that they can't take with them when they go?  It's sad that the gap is widening between the rich and poor.  It's equally sad that many people can't afford health care who desperately need it.  When I was younger it was unusual to see homeless people in small towns, but now I see them all the time.  I ask myself what can be done.  I don't know.  I wish I had the answers and I wish I could fix it.  Will I choose to take the rope and try to make a difference or will I make it someone else's responsibility.  

A friend of mine decided he would go sky-diving on his 21st birthday.  He made his reservation and paid his money.  When his birthday came, he boarded the plane to make the amazing jump.  However, he did not make the jump that day or any day thereafter.  When it came time to jump fear overtook him.  I suppose he decided that it was not cool to have nothing between his body and the earth. The odds that the parachute would work was in his favor.  However, it was the small chance that the parachute would not open kept my friend on the plane.  Needless to say, my friend was paralyzed by fear.  

Fear is a four letter word that at some point has paralyzed all of us.  I will be the first to admit that fear has kept me from doing extraordinary things.  

I jokingly asked a friend of mine if she thought I was a reserved person.  I knew the answer to the question before I even asked.  Yes, I am a very reserved person.  My fear of failure has kept me from trying new things.  It has kept me from creativity I know I have.  Fear has kept me from standing up for what I believe in or addressing conflict I know needs addressing.  In some ways, fear has even hindered my ministry.  I'm so afraid of screwing up that I don't even try.  In my fear I have failed because I HAVE NOT tried.  

I know I am not alone in my fear.  I know that most people would say that one point or another they have been paralyzed by fear.  I want to live a life with few regrets as possible.  I don't want to regret the things I haven't done, the chances I haven't took, and the relationships I didn't make.

Jesus did not let fear stop him in his ministry.  Jesus went against the grain of him time.  I have the choice of how fear affects me--I can choose to let life go on around me or I can choose life.

Yes, I know I haven't written a blog in over a month. The past four weeks have been extremely busy. I guess that is what I get for working, going to school, and trying to have social life. I will definitely write when I find the time. I was thinking how cool it would be to take a trip to the Islands...I can feel the warm tropical air on my palely white skin...

Christmas Magic

My 9 year old cousin, Makayla, and I were having an intriguing conversation about Christmas several days ago.  Much to my surprise, Makayla is questioning the validity of Santa Clause.  When I heard this, my heart broke a little.  At that moment, I realized that Makayla was growing up and entering the world of adolescence.  She is no longer the baby I once held in my arms.  I was at the hospital the day she was born, and I have always felt a strong connection to her.  Nine years old is the age where a child does question the validity of Santa Clause.  I suppose it is a natural process.  At nine years of age, a child can start reasoning at a higher level.

I don't want Makayla to lose the magic of Christmas.  She and I both know the true meaning of Christmas, but there is something magical about waiting for Santa.  I remember several sleepless Christmas Eve's when I anticipated Santa.  It was a magical moment.  I'm not terribly sad that Makayla doesn't really believe in Santa.  I'm sad because her childhood innocence is slowly being lost.  Makayla can see the world for what it really is.  She already knows the injustice and inequality that is in our society.  She is beginning to realize that life is tough.  This is what saddens me the most.  I want to protect Makayla as much as I can, but in many ways I can't.  It is natural for children to grow up.  I wish I could keep them little forever.  Maybe somewhere in our hearts, we can hold onto the magic and innocence. Maybe, just maybe...

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

I love chocolate and I love peppermint.  When these two are mixed together it is like heaven.  If you never had Peppermint Hot Chocolate you are missing out.  I suppose you would have to like chocolate and peppermint in order to enjoy this drink.  When the thick liquid hits your tongue, you can taste the sweetness of the chocolate and the crispness of the peppermint.  It is an amazing mixture.  It is like Christmas in a cup.

I must admit this beverage is one my guilty pleasures.  If this drink were alcoholic you could say I was addicted.  This drink is one of the many things I enjoy about Christmas.  When I sip this beverage, I am reminded of the many wonderful Christmases of the past.  I think of my grandfather dressing up as Santa Clause and giving us our gifts.  I am reminded of those trips to the Christmas tree farm to select the perfect tree.  I remember the Christmas Eve Services I attended.  Most of all I am reminded of what Christmas is really about.  The greatest thing about Christmas does not cup.  The greatest gift came in a filthy manger 2000 years ago.  That trumps Peppermint Hot Chocolate any day.

where did my pot go?

In Tampa, Florida , a highway cleanup crew found 60 pounds of pot on the side of the road.   The Florida Highway Patrol says this pot has a $54,000 street value.  Some of the marijuana plants were freshly picked.  The marijuana was either thrown off the vehicle or it fell.  I'm siding with the later.  I'm not an expert on pot or any other illegal narcotic, but I don't think someone would let that much money go on purpose.  I know I wouldn't. 

 This story is humorous but sad.  Many people struggle with substance abuse problems.  These addictions have led to loss of relationships, job, and life.  What is the church doing to help these people?  In many cases, churches aren't doing anything.  It's easier to shun addicts than it is to help them.  I guess churches believe it's to messy of a process.  Didn't Jesus say that following him would be messy?  I believe he did.  Loving our neighbor includes loving those who struggle with addictions.  Jesus loves them.  Why can't we?

Story and photo are courtesy of Yahoo.