I received a link from my friend on facebook today, to an article that I thought was just fantastic. It brought up a point that I bashfully must admit, I hadn't thought of before. It brought me great joy to read it, so perhaps you, my captivated audience, might appreciate it too... Hah.
Here it is:
Love Your Stuff: Material Possessions Are Not Evil
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 10.27.09
"I've been thinking a lot about the things we own and what they mean. From Buy Nothing Day to Freecycle to The Story of Stuff, rethinking our relationship to money and material possessions is a central theme within the sustainability debate. Many greens believe we've become too wrapped up in our love of stuff. But I wonder if we've got it the wrong way around. Maybe we don't love our stuff enough.
I'm reminded, for example, about a conversation I had a few years back with a green-minded friend. She was raving about a piece of jewelery she loved, before checking herself and issuing a red-faced apology for what she described as her "materialism". I was more than a little bit disturbed.
The problem, I argued, is not that we love stuff too much—but that we don't love it enough. Why else do people swoon over the next tech gadget; the next McMansion; or the next over sized car, before becoming bored and moving on to another obsession? That's not love, it's lust. And it's a promiscuous lust at that.
What if we rejected these consumer equivalents of a one night stand? What if we committed to our stuff instead? What if we settled into deep and meaningful, if somewhat polygamous, relationships with our possessions? Once we make the commitment to fall in love all over again with our houses, with our clothes, with our furniture, we start looking for qualities of durability, reliability, craftsmanship, beauty and sustainability, instead of cheap thrills and shallow gimmicks. We start nurturing, nourishing and maintaining what we have, rather than looking for something new. In short, we learn to live with less.
It's time to spread the love. Embrace your dining room table. Love your bicycle. Swoon over your spoons. And look forward to sharing your life with them for years to come."
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
The launching of my summer in the welcoming of fall...
Wow. Well tonight was our (Forgotten Studios') final night of filming part one of The Still and Beating Heart. Tonight marks the end of an incredibly challenging, sleepless, entertaining, and taxing summer for all of the cast and crew. At last, we can take a deep breath this fall and rejuvenate our lives... catch some zzz's, catch up with our friends, catch up with ourselves.
I can not believe how fast this summer flew by. I am not ready for the flowers to die. I haven't been able to enjoy them yet!...
I must intentionally make time to enjoy the last smells and remnants of summer before the green fades and is blanketed by snow.
I am so excited to live the next few months to the fullest!
Some massive changes are happening in my life this week- I am officially moving out of my family home for the first time, and I will be vastly enjoying the process of reconnecting with friends. Oh how I miss my friends...
This summer was well spent. I am dead exhausted at this point, and even found great difficulty today styling Nathan's hair for his character in the film (That's pretty bad...). I have never worked as full time in my life as I have this past summer. However, I know that we have filmed a mini-masterpiece and when I look back in three years, I will be pleased that I made the effort to be a part of its concoction.
I have no doubt that I have grown up a little more these last few months. Seasons of growth always seem to line themselves up with seasons of hardship/challenges. It is an unfortunate ensueing however, that periods of growth usually mean the discovering and expulsion of many of the nasty habits and less than kind bits of human nature that rise up in ourselves when we are put under straining circumstances. I have learned that I am not nearly as forgiving and servant hearted as I would like to be. I am not as assertive as I ought to be, and while I am not a very selfish person by nature, I am sadly, a fairly self focused individual. It is difficult to see past my own issues sometimes, and instead offer myself to bettering the lives of others.
God, teach me to be a humble servant.
(As I type this I realize that I am probably just asking God to put me in harder circumstances that will beat my pride out of me... because that's usaully what it takes for pride to be diminished. This is truly a scary prayer request, but a good one).
It will be very good to reflect on all that has occurred this summer and to see how I am changing and where God is leading me.
I have certainly gained a deeper understanding of what sacrifice means...
- K signing out.
I can not believe how fast this summer flew by. I am not ready for the flowers to die. I haven't been able to enjoy them yet!...
I must intentionally make time to enjoy the last smells and remnants of summer before the green fades and is blanketed by snow.
I am so excited to live the next few months to the fullest!
Some massive changes are happening in my life this week- I am officially moving out of my family home for the first time, and I will be vastly enjoying the process of reconnecting with friends. Oh how I miss my friends...
This summer was well spent. I am dead exhausted at this point, and even found great difficulty today styling Nathan's hair for his character in the film (That's pretty bad...). I have never worked as full time in my life as I have this past summer. However, I know that we have filmed a mini-masterpiece and when I look back in three years, I will be pleased that I made the effort to be a part of its concoction.
I have no doubt that I have grown up a little more these last few months. Seasons of growth always seem to line themselves up with seasons of hardship/challenges. It is an unfortunate ensueing however, that periods of growth usually mean the discovering and expulsion of many of the nasty habits and less than kind bits of human nature that rise up in ourselves when we are put under straining circumstances. I have learned that I am not nearly as forgiving and servant hearted as I would like to be. I am not as assertive as I ought to be, and while I am not a very selfish person by nature, I am sadly, a fairly self focused individual. It is difficult to see past my own issues sometimes, and instead offer myself to bettering the lives of others.
God, teach me to be a humble servant.
(As I type this I realize that I am probably just asking God to put me in harder circumstances that will beat my pride out of me... because that's usaully what it takes for pride to be diminished. This is truly a scary prayer request, but a good one).
It will be very good to reflect on all that has occurred this summer and to see how I am changing and where God is leading me.
I have certainly gained a deeper understanding of what sacrifice means...
- K signing out.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Largest Life
- Archibald LampmanI
I LIE upon my bed and hear and see.
The moon is rising through the glistening trees;
And momently a great and sombre breeze,
With a vast voice returning fitfully,
Comes like a deep-toned grief, and stirs in me,
Somehow, by some inexplicable art,
A sense of my soul's strangeness, and its part
In the dark march of human destiny.
What am I, then, and what are they that pass
Yonder, and love and laugh, and mourn and weep?
What shall they know of me, or I, alas!
Of them? Little. At times, as if from sleep,
We waken to this yearning passionate mood,
And tremble at our spiritual solitude.
II
Nay, never once to feel we are alone,
While the great human heart around us lies:
To make the smile on other lips our own,
To live upon the light in others' eyes:
To breathe without a doubt the limped air
Of that most perfect love that knows no pain:
To say–I love you–only, and not care
Whether the love come back to us again:
Divinest self-forgetfulness, at first
A task, and then a tonic, then a need;
To greet with open hands the best and worst,
And only for another's wound to bleed:
This is to see the beauty that God meant,
Wrapped round with life, ineffably content.
III
There is a beauty at the goal of life,
A beauty growing since the world began,
Through every age and race, through lapse and strife
Till the great human soul complete her span.
Beneath the waves of storm that lash and burn,
The currents of blind passion that appall,
To listen and keep watch till we discern
The tide of sovereign truth that guides it all;
So to address our spirits to the height,
And so attune them to the valiant whole,
That the great light be clearer for our light,
And the great soul the stronger for our soul:
To have done this is to have lived, though fame
Remember us with no familiar name.
- Archibald LampmanI
I LIE upon my bed and hear and see.
The moon is rising through the glistening trees;
And momently a great and sombre breeze,
With a vast voice returning fitfully,
Comes like a deep-toned grief, and stirs in me,
Somehow, by some inexplicable art,
A sense of my soul's strangeness, and its part
In the dark march of human destiny.
What am I, then, and what are they that pass
Yonder, and love and laugh, and mourn and weep?
What shall they know of me, or I, alas!
Of them? Little. At times, as if from sleep,
We waken to this yearning passionate mood,
And tremble at our spiritual solitude.
II
Nay, never once to feel we are alone,
While the great human heart around us lies:
To make the smile on other lips our own,
To live upon the light in others' eyes:
To breathe without a doubt the limped air
Of that most perfect love that knows no pain:
To say–I love you–only, and not care
Whether the love come back to us again:
Divinest self-forgetfulness, at first
A task, and then a tonic, then a need;
To greet with open hands the best and worst,
And only for another's wound to bleed:
This is to see the beauty that God meant,
Wrapped round with life, ineffably content.
III
There is a beauty at the goal of life,
A beauty growing since the world began,
Through every age and race, through lapse and strife
Till the great human soul complete her span.
Beneath the waves of storm that lash and burn,
The currents of blind passion that appall,
To listen and keep watch till we discern
The tide of sovereign truth that guides it all;
So to address our spirits to the height,
And so attune them to the valiant whole,
That the great light be clearer for our light,
And the great soul the stronger for our soul:
To have done this is to have lived, though fame
Remember us with no familiar name.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
This may be a mad leap of faith- WWID (What Would Indiana Do?)...
Oh my goodness, what a day.
Today started out in a less than grand manner, but it soon became interesting.
I woke up at half past twelve in the afternoon, and churned around in my bed for a good fifteen minutes debating whether or not I would take the great transit journey down to millennium park for a two o' clock prayer gathering of Christians from various denominations around Calgary (for the global day of prayer).
I really didn't feel like going, and I had a list in my head of all of the other things that I have been meaning to get done this weekend that I could potentially do instead, but I also felt convicted that I should go. So I bucked up and went.
I arrived on the scene and I, to be honest with you, felt a little silly. Attending an outdoors prayer meeting complete with colorful banners, a preacher over a microphone, and loud worship music isn't a very comfortable setting for me. I'm sure that my reaction is sadly a result of misconstrued ideas and judgments that I carry with me regarding some of the ways that church services are held. Don't get me wrong, I love the church! I just have some repairing to do in the way that I sometimes view the church... . Also, I don't feel especially gifted in the area of intercession, so spending the afternoon praying for the city of Calgary was a somewhat awkward venture. A good one, but an uncomfortable one. Perhaps my heart is not for the city of Calgary as it should be.
You would think that after sixteen years of being a Christian I would have a mighty faith in God's promises and in his ability to carry out his word; to answer the prayers of his people... . More often than not, in the presence of other Christians, I feel like a such a baby in the faith.
So much is mystery to me, and I am realizing that I do not know God at all. I know that he is love, but as far as my relationship with him is concerned, I don't know his little joys and pleasures, what makes him laugh and the things that I do that make him upset.
This is unsettling to me, but I am okay with it. I am okay with accepting that this is where I am on my journey of loving Christ, that I will learn and mature more in time, and that God in his grace has forgiven my deficiencies and is covering my back, as far as judgments are concerned, until the day that I die and am fully redeemed.
So back to today...
It was nearer to the end of our meeting and the main speaker/preacher had talked for a little while about the film industry and about Hollywood specifically, and how God is currently working there to bring about change that will impact the world. Then he asked that those in the crowd who felt led to serve God in the arts/media should come forward to be prayed for (as individuals, and as representatives for all those in the arts industry on a municipal, national, and global level). Because I have a passion for the arts and because I am involved with the film industry, I went to the front.
We prayed for a few minutes and then the speaker, who I shortly after found out has the gift of prophecy (and is very accurate with his prophetic words), pointed directly to me in front of everyone and told me that he sensed God calling me to be an actress in Hollywood, and to be an influence there. He asked if acting is something that resonates with me and I nodded my head (as I've just finished acting in two films with Forgotten Studios, here in Calgary). He told me to really watch out for how God will be leading me in that.
(Enter gasp of disbelief here)
Soooo, yeeahh. That was my afternoon.
I was the only person he publicly prophesied over this afternoon, and those were the words that he got.
I felt like I was hit with a stun gun. What do you say to something like that? How do you follow that?!
It was really encouraging for me to hear that because now I know that acting isn't likely something that I should drop anytime soon. And I feel encouraged to press on with my involvement with Forgotten Studios. But holy cow. That is a terrifying and awesome prophecy.
Because that's such a huge prophetic word (that may cause quite a shift in my life's plans) I am praying that God will confirm it for me if it truly is from him.
And that's about it. I guess I'll keep you posted over the next little/long while of my life... . I actually don't know what else to say to conclude this posting, so I'll end here.
God, may your will be done. I love you.
Today started out in a less than grand manner, but it soon became interesting.
I woke up at half past twelve in the afternoon, and churned around in my bed for a good fifteen minutes debating whether or not I would take the great transit journey down to millennium park for a two o' clock prayer gathering of Christians from various denominations around Calgary (for the global day of prayer).
I really didn't feel like going, and I had a list in my head of all of the other things that I have been meaning to get done this weekend that I could potentially do instead, but I also felt convicted that I should go. So I bucked up and went.
I arrived on the scene and I, to be honest with you, felt a little silly. Attending an outdoors prayer meeting complete with colorful banners, a preacher over a microphone, and loud worship music isn't a very comfortable setting for me. I'm sure that my reaction is sadly a result of misconstrued ideas and judgments that I carry with me regarding some of the ways that church services are held. Don't get me wrong, I love the church! I just have some repairing to do in the way that I sometimes view the church... . Also, I don't feel especially gifted in the area of intercession, so spending the afternoon praying for the city of Calgary was a somewhat awkward venture. A good one, but an uncomfortable one. Perhaps my heart is not for the city of Calgary as it should be.
You would think that after sixteen years of being a Christian I would have a mighty faith in God's promises and in his ability to carry out his word; to answer the prayers of his people... . More often than not, in the presence of other Christians, I feel like a such a baby in the faith.
So much is mystery to me, and I am realizing that I do not know God at all. I know that he is love, but as far as my relationship with him is concerned, I don't know his little joys and pleasures, what makes him laugh and the things that I do that make him upset.
This is unsettling to me, but I am okay with it. I am okay with accepting that this is where I am on my journey of loving Christ, that I will learn and mature more in time, and that God in his grace has forgiven my deficiencies and is covering my back, as far as judgments are concerned, until the day that I die and am fully redeemed.
So back to today...
It was nearer to the end of our meeting and the main speaker/preacher had talked for a little while about the film industry and about Hollywood specifically, and how God is currently working there to bring about change that will impact the world. Then he asked that those in the crowd who felt led to serve God in the arts/media should come forward to be prayed for (as individuals, and as representatives for all those in the arts industry on a municipal, national, and global level). Because I have a passion for the arts and because I am involved with the film industry, I went to the front.
We prayed for a few minutes and then the speaker, who I shortly after found out has the gift of prophecy (and is very accurate with his prophetic words), pointed directly to me in front of everyone and told me that he sensed God calling me to be an actress in Hollywood, and to be an influence there. He asked if acting is something that resonates with me and I nodded my head (as I've just finished acting in two films with Forgotten Studios, here in Calgary). He told me to really watch out for how God will be leading me in that.
(Enter gasp of disbelief here)
Soooo, yeeahh. That was my afternoon.
I was the only person he publicly prophesied over this afternoon, and those were the words that he got.
I felt like I was hit with a stun gun. What do you say to something like that? How do you follow that?!
It was really encouraging for me to hear that because now I know that acting isn't likely something that I should drop anytime soon. And I feel encouraged to press on with my involvement with Forgotten Studios. But holy cow. That is a terrifying and awesome prophecy.
Because that's such a huge prophetic word (that may cause quite a shift in my life's plans) I am praying that God will confirm it for me if it truly is from him.
And that's about it. I guess I'll keep you posted over the next little/long while of my life... . I actually don't know what else to say to conclude this posting, so I'll end here.
God, may your will be done. I love you.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
This
I am ready
Too much is bubbling inside
and I am noticing
that I come alive
When I come near this
I don't know what "this" looks like exactly
or how I will look
when I swim in it
but I am going to jump in
God, you've given me dreams
and I can't shut my soul up
I can't not worship you
When I come near this
Thank you God
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Too much is bubbling inside
and I am noticing
that I come alive
When I come near this
I don't know what "this" looks like exactly
or how I will look
when I swim in it
but I am going to jump in
God, you've given me dreams
and I can't shut my soul up
I can't not worship you
When I come near this
Thank you God
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you
Sunday, March 01, 2009
"And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God."
I love those moments when knowledge and belief collide!
When something that you've known in your head for so long at last hits a revelation and gives birth to deep belief and faith.
This morning I had this experience.
I was in church and God's spirit came and spoke to me (this wasn't even something that my pastor was talking about...). Here is the revelation given to me:
I've known all of my life that God does not measure us by our works, but for some reason over the years I have fallen under the impression (and the lie) that works are the most important thing I can do. This has led me to constantly question and worry about if I will someday make it to heaven and be sent away because I did not do enough to serve the Lord in my life... Horrible! This dumb worry has gnawed at me for quite some time, but today God called me on it and opened my eyes to see what a hoax it is. I can't believe that that belief (of salvation being earned through works) managed to become a part of my world view when I have known that the Bible clearly contradicts the very idea!
This passage popped into my mind this morning:
EPHESIANS 2:1-8
"Made Alive with Christ"
1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
These verses hit me hard! I've always known that we can never try to earn our salvation, but up until this morning I'm not sure that I ever truly believed it. But God has opened my eyes so that it makes sense to me now! (Thank you God!)
I've been so stuck in comparing myself to other Christians because I'm just not as good at serving (for example), or evangelising, or, you name it... because I am not "as holy"...
But ephesians 2 stomps all over the reason I had to compare myself with others.
It is only by God's unconditional kindness and love and grace for us that he allows us to commune with him (and eventually live with him in heaven). It is because of the redemption that was given to us through the passion and sacrifice of Jesus.
We are all nothing compared to God. Even our greatest efforts and accomplishments (no matter how "holy" they are) are nothing compared with God's. So what's the use of comparing ourselves?
I (and we as Christians) need to learn to rest in the deep and unshakable truth that we are okay, because God has promised that he will forgive us for everything (should we choose to accept it...) and love us unconditionally, enough to accept us into his kingdom, regardless of our weaknesses and failures in life.
We are unconditionally loved and accepted by God.
We are fully welcomed into his kingdom when we have accepted that we are forgiven (through Jesus Christ).
I FEEL SO MUCH FREEDOM AND PEACE WITH THIS REVELATION (fully backed by God's word).
THANK YOU, FATHER!
I love you so much.
When something that you've known in your head for so long at last hits a revelation and gives birth to deep belief and faith.
This morning I had this experience.
I was in church and God's spirit came and spoke to me (this wasn't even something that my pastor was talking about...). Here is the revelation given to me:
I've known all of my life that God does not measure us by our works, but for some reason over the years I have fallen under the impression (and the lie) that works are the most important thing I can do. This has led me to constantly question and worry about if I will someday make it to heaven and be sent away because I did not do enough to serve the Lord in my life... Horrible! This dumb worry has gnawed at me for quite some time, but today God called me on it and opened my eyes to see what a hoax it is. I can't believe that that belief (of salvation being earned through works) managed to become a part of my world view when I have known that the Bible clearly contradicts the very idea!
This passage popped into my mind this morning:
EPHESIANS 2:1-8
"Made Alive with Christ"
1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
These verses hit me hard! I've always known that we can never try to earn our salvation, but up until this morning I'm not sure that I ever truly believed it. But God has opened my eyes so that it makes sense to me now! (Thank you God!)
I've been so stuck in comparing myself to other Christians because I'm just not as good at serving (for example), or evangelising, or, you name it... because I am not "as holy"...
But ephesians 2 stomps all over the reason I had to compare myself with others.
It is only by God's unconditional kindness and love and grace for us that he allows us to commune with him (and eventually live with him in heaven). It is because of the redemption that was given to us through the passion and sacrifice of Jesus.
We are all nothing compared to God. Even our greatest efforts and accomplishments (no matter how "holy" they are) are nothing compared with God's. So what's the use of comparing ourselves?
I (and we as Christians) need to learn to rest in the deep and unshakable truth that we are okay, because God has promised that he will forgive us for everything (should we choose to accept it...) and love us unconditionally, enough to accept us into his kingdom, regardless of our weaknesses and failures in life.
We are unconditionally loved and accepted by God.
We are fully welcomed into his kingdom when we have accepted that we are forgiven (through Jesus Christ).
I FEEL SO MUCH FREEDOM AND PEACE WITH THIS REVELATION (fully backed by God's word).
THANK YOU, FATHER!
I love you so much.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
goodbye to the number "one"
Well friends,
Today (not unlike most days) I pondered the big question as to whether or not I should blog and update this bad boy. I came to the conclusion that although I do feel a certain lacking of eloquent language/thought, that I should go forth with writing something because I do have something very notable to write about.
I have given up the Nunnery. Do not be shocked my friends and do not judge. My relationship with the Lord, I can assure you, is still very much in tact. But this new development, this switch of my life's calling if you will, can be attributed to the workings of one young man by the name of Adam W. Beware of his schemes friends, lest you be lured in as I was to falling in love with his person hood. To be forthwithly blunt, he has removed me from my single status and given me the title of being his girlfriend.
What does one do when they turn on to a path that they have not yet walked on before? I am so excited and happy to figure this thing out.
Yes single hood, you were and are great, but having Adam as my boyfriend is better.
Yea Yeaa.
Today (not unlike most days) I pondered the big question as to whether or not I should blog and update this bad boy. I came to the conclusion that although I do feel a certain lacking of eloquent language/thought, that I should go forth with writing something because I do have something very notable to write about.
I have given up the Nunnery. Do not be shocked my friends and do not judge. My relationship with the Lord, I can assure you, is still very much in tact. But this new development, this switch of my life's calling if you will, can be attributed to the workings of one young man by the name of Adam W. Beware of his schemes friends, lest you be lured in as I was to falling in love with his person hood. To be forthwithly blunt, he has removed me from my single status and given me the title of being his girlfriend.
What does one do when they turn on to a path that they have not yet walked on before? I am so excited and happy to figure this thing out.
Yes single hood, you were and are great, but having Adam as my boyfriend is better.
Yea Yeaa.
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