Bye Bye to My Space

As Barry begins a new chapter in his life with Facebook... I end one of mine. I am no longer a "My Spacer." I'm exclusively a Facebook member now. I've had my account for a while and it is much easier to monitor. BTW Mexico was fun. I'll tell you more later!

A Fight for Love!

I think it's fitting to write about social issues today. In part, in honor of my friend Leigh Ann's birthday. I love Leigh Ann's raw honesty and humor, but lately I have been amazed and challenged by her heart. She is someone who I can honestly say has fought her traditional views of Christianity, God and the church - even to the point of sacrifice. She has been honest in her struggles and transparent in her questioning of the true mission of Christ. She is developing a real sense of being "others focused", and it is a beautiful transformation. Happy birthday, Leigh Ann. You challenge me and make me laugh. Thanks. You rock, and love does win. Peace.

I don't desire that my blog be a place for political commentary.

And if I were going to discuss politics, I more than likely wouldn't be in the same camp with a President from Columbia University.

But, today, I am in agreement - because after all, the Columbia President (Lee Bollinger) - who spoke before Iran's President Ahmadinejad - spoke more about freedom and the recognition of evil, than just recycling a bunch of political rhetoric.

His passionate speech was about the triumph of good over evil. It was about vigilantly holding brutal tyranny accountable for human suffering. It was about freedom and truth.

These are to be the ideals of the church, but one rarely hears these things from the evangelical pulpit. Why?

Why do we seem afraid to have discourse about issues of social justice? Is it not in the heart of God to "plead the case of the oppressed"? Are we terrified of being labeled "liberal" or worse?

It's a difficult path for the Christ-follower to travel. To marry an evangelical passion for each person's soul and eternity with a passion to meet the practical and social needs of the down-trodden. It is difficult, but following Christ demands that we try, even to the point of sacrifice.

Are we too afraid of labels or misunderstanding to be proactive...or just too lazy?

This speech today, from someone with whom I would most likely be on the polar opposite end of the political spectrum, reminded me of the things going on around the world that I am likely to forget in my comfortable, suburban, American existence. It reminded me of what the absence of love...of God can cause.

So, how do we fight brutality and evil - with love. And love demands action. The action of love is powerful, but it should be because it is of God. God is love, and if we are about the things of God, then we are about love.

Love hears, sees and demands action, and the best part is...LOVE WINS.

But, we do have to get in the game.

Peace.

Birthday Girls

The last two days have been birthdays of two very special people in my life. The first is my sister, Larissa. She celebrated her birthday yesterday. Larissa is not only my sister, but a great friend. I can remember when we were younger always wanting to be around her, dress like her, and act like her. (Looking back, I know I was NEVER as cool as her!) She is five years older and didn't think it was so cool to have a little sister who was always around. That is, until she moved out of the house and went away to college.

That is when our friendship truly developed. I loved when she would come home from college and WANT to hang out with me! We'd go shopping and stay up talking. Imagine how thrilled I was when my BIG sister asked me to move in with her my freshman year of college! We only lived together for one year (she got married!) but it was a great year for us. Over the years, we have remained very close friends. We are privileged to live in the same town and see each other often. Even though our lives our very busy with kids and crazy schedules, we make time to hang out with each other and talk often.

The second birthday girl is one of my closest and oldest (not in years, but in length of time I've known her!) friends, Leigh Ann. Leigh Ann and I have been friends for almost 20 years! We grew up in the youth group together, were roommates in college, got married the same year, and have children around the same ages. We have been with each other through the good and the not-so-good. Leigh Ann is someone I can always count on to make me laugh. She's one of those people who actually says what everyone in the room is thinking, and doesn't apologize for it! That is one of the things I love about her...she's always herself. What you see is what you get!

I love you both, Larissa and Leigh Ann! Happy, Happy Birthday!

Viva la Mexico

Darrell and I are leaving tomorrow morning for our first cruise ever. We are heading to Mexico for four days. I'm really looking forward to some time away with my hot hubby. We'll miss everyone on Sunday but we are already anticipating what God is going to do. We love you all and we'll see you next week. Viva la Mexico!

The Full Circle Friendship

I have an uncanny ability to pick up right where I left off. It's really weird actually. When I am holding a conversation with someone and the subject moves on to something different I can get back to the original conversation like nothing happened in between. I just like the idea of completing the thought process. I picked up where I left off in another way this week.

A couple of years ago I worked at Saks Fifth Avenue. I had a friend there that I instantly bonded with. She was artistic, crazy, quirky, fun, energetic, and very comfortable in her own skin. She was also a pale skinned tanorexic, dark haired chica like myself. We just got each other. The last day I ever saw her was August 9, 2003, the day I got married. That same week while Darrell and I went on our honeymoon she moved to Indiana. We stayed in touch for a while but we eventually lost touch. I have always had her on my heart and secretly hoped she'd reappear. This week we have officially picked up where we left off. She called me a couple of weeks ago to tell me that she went through a very difficult period in her life and needed to move back to Orlando. She was wondering if I could help her get a job quickly. I was more than happy to grant her that favor. She officially started working with me this week and my boss asked me to train her so we've been able to spend a lot of time together. I feel like she never left. We were laughing today about some of the memories we have together and she confirmed my feeling as well. She said to me, "laughing about that makes me feel like I never left." I love that. In that moment it was as if August 2003 just picked up again in September 2007 with no lapse in between. This blesses me beyond words.

If this type of full circle friendship can continue with us imagine what God is capable of. I've had lapses in my life when my relationship and friendship with Him has not been maintained. I missed my time connecting with Him. I felt guilty for not reading my bible like I should or talking to Him regularly. I now realize that He is waiting in anticipation for me to contribute to our relationship again during those times. I think God just wants to hang out with me. He wants to be the friend that sticks closer than a brother to me. He wants to do life with me. I'm so amazed that He wants to know me through everything. The joys, the sorrows, the ups, the downs. He is my rock and my salvation. He is the ultimate friend and I'm so glad I can live in the assurance that He will never leave me. He waits for me. Be encouraged that He waits for you to. If you've had a season of wondering He anticipates picking up where you left off. God is love.