Back when I was seven, I watched cartoons every Saturday morning. Usually Garfield, the Smurfs and Looney Tunes were the shows to see- at least that’s what I can remember. Of course, each of these entertaining shows came with a set of commercials all geared to ME! And the Christmas purchasing season became very apparent as new toys advertised that latest gadget, fun accessory and sweet moves. Power Wheels always fascinated me, and since I didn’t learn to drive when I was twelve as others friends did since they lived on a ranch, I dreamt of having one. But at the same time I knew that dream was a Huge long shot so I aimed for other great gifts like games, ice skates, Simon and a Sega or Game boy. The last could have driven the Power Wheels to my bed, that’s how possible getting such a gift was in my family. But I dreamt- Sonic the Hedgehog dancing in my head.
The commercials confused me, too. I would always hear, “Batteries not included.” I use to think that meant the toy didn’t require batteries so I felt reassured that it might make Santa’s list for my house since there was less hassle. I don’t recall the moment it dawned on me that the not included meant not included but NEEDED. Oh. That’s silly. The toy isn’t complete in it’s package? Other parts are still necessary? Why sell something that is only half there, when the toy is better in the box because it can’t do anything there or can’t NOT doing anything too. In a box it was still a wrapped gift- inaccessible and unknown to its fullest capacity.
Just tonight it dawned on me that batteries WERE included in me, that’s how God packaged me and intended me to BE in the world. In fact, I’m the whole package just like this. The more I’m “played” with and taken for show and tell, the more real and known I am to the owner. Like in Toy Story, Andy gets to know how Woody moves and rides horses and reacts to a snake in his boot. And through the creative genius of that story, we get to see how a toy might come to know its owner. That’s important- to know God and for God to know us. He knows what he gets with each breath.
More importantly, though, is the reassurance and stamp of approval we have being a complete toy- the whole package. Some people might say that we’re missing something- the box falsely advertised. “This piece is broken.” “This piece is old and worn out.” “This isn’t good enough for me.” God did not, does not, and will not think that we were not made just right for him. He won’t say one day, “Oh, I need another one to replace this one.” Nor will he think, “If only this one had one more talent such as a beautiful singing voice, then she would be perfect.” He fashioned us as a whole package just as he had wanted. So with that we can throw off the wrapping paper and fling ourselves into the opportunities that God has made for us, each one unique and each one a Whole Package.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Fertilizing
My commute use to take me by rolling fields of wheat. Golden in the sun and dark brown dirt in the fall fog and rains. I often visit the farms on Greenbluff to enjoy the rich plethora of apples, peaches, more apples and veggies like pumpkins, squash and corn. And now, I rarely commute more than five minutes from any one place and in that, it’s a see of traffic on a four-lane highway. However, I recently started a book called Omnivore’s Dilemma which begins with a tale of such farm land as I use to see. The author tracks four different routes by which Americans get their food, industrial (twice over), organic and hunting and gathering. He started with the process that most of us partake in: the industrial route of the dominating crop of z-maize: Corn.
He proceeds to outline how the government subsidizes the American farmer to make more and more corn beyond the demand and even beyond the possibility of consumption. He spoke of farmers using twice as much fertilizer on crops as a way of insurance to make sure they yield the largest harvest possible. The ongoing goal to produce more and more depletes the ground of nutrients, causes a great deal of erosion, and pollutes the air and water with the overabundance of contaminating fertilizers and pesticides. And yet, despite all their efforts or any growth in production, these farmers can barely make enough to support themselves. Many work extra jobs, live off a spouse’s income and hope that a great yield measured against always dropping prices will even out in the end, though it rarely does.
I drive through fields and pick fruit for fun. I realized that the farmers worked hard and that many uncontrollable forces effected their work and income, but I had no idea how that affected the typical consumer. I never realized we all pay the price in taxes to keep this process rolling and pay an even higher price just so we can have the level of comfort and choice we have. Nearly half of the 45,000 different products in a typical grocery store have corn in it. Check the label: the corn chips, linoleum on the floor (corn is part of the material base), wax that keeps the fruit shiny, spices, hamburger (what do they eat), even Twinkies. Ok- corn won’t be on the label but the various chemical names like glucona delta lactone and mono- and di-glycerides for processed Type 2 corn touches almost everything.
Well, to move to a tangent and really the deeper thoughts behind this newly gained knowledge, I speak on the words of Paul. I read in his second letter to the Corinthians that those who sow generously will reap generously.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly, so that in all thins at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…Now he who supplies see to the sewer and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of righteousness” (v. 6-8,10).
What struck me about this verse is that God will bless the efforts of those who respond to Him in obedience in accordance to what we have promised to give. We are not told to invest with time, treasure and talents, and then if efforts don’t materialize immediately, throw a little bit extra of our own “fertilizer” to make crops grow. God did not say that He will provide x amount of yield but we have to come up with a way to make more. He’s not even asking for more. He’s asking for what we have promised to give and He will richly bless that. Our fertilizer is not really what the world needs more of, kind of like having corn in ice cream seems weird and unnatural. It’s God’s own strength, glory, and perfection that need to infiltrate everything. It’s God that needs to be on every label, because with that assurance, one does not have to worry about who or what is being exploited- it’s not happening. Our best efforts and good-intentions are still tainted with imperfections. That’s not to say we should not sow or even “fertilize” with our personality and gifts. It means that we should put forward our best for God, but not assume that only our efforts will reap a harvest. God “supplies the seed” and will “enlarge the harvest.”
He proceeds to outline how the government subsidizes the American farmer to make more and more corn beyond the demand and even beyond the possibility of consumption. He spoke of farmers using twice as much fertilizer on crops as a way of insurance to make sure they yield the largest harvest possible. The ongoing goal to produce more and more depletes the ground of nutrients, causes a great deal of erosion, and pollutes the air and water with the overabundance of contaminating fertilizers and pesticides. And yet, despite all their efforts or any growth in production, these farmers can barely make enough to support themselves. Many work extra jobs, live off a spouse’s income and hope that a great yield measured against always dropping prices will even out in the end, though it rarely does.
I drive through fields and pick fruit for fun. I realized that the farmers worked hard and that many uncontrollable forces effected their work and income, but I had no idea how that affected the typical consumer. I never realized we all pay the price in taxes to keep this process rolling and pay an even higher price just so we can have the level of comfort and choice we have. Nearly half of the 45,000 different products in a typical grocery store have corn in it. Check the label: the corn chips, linoleum on the floor (corn is part of the material base), wax that keeps the fruit shiny, spices, hamburger (what do they eat), even Twinkies. Ok- corn won’t be on the label but the various chemical names like glucona delta lactone and mono- and di-glycerides for processed Type 2 corn touches almost everything.
Well, to move to a tangent and really the deeper thoughts behind this newly gained knowledge, I speak on the words of Paul. I read in his second letter to the Corinthians that those who sow generously will reap generously.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly, so that in all thins at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…Now he who supplies see to the sewer and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of righteousness” (v. 6-8,10).
What struck me about this verse is that God will bless the efforts of those who respond to Him in obedience in accordance to what we have promised to give. We are not told to invest with time, treasure and talents, and then if efforts don’t materialize immediately, throw a little bit extra of our own “fertilizer” to make crops grow. God did not say that He will provide x amount of yield but we have to come up with a way to make more. He’s not even asking for more. He’s asking for what we have promised to give and He will richly bless that. Our fertilizer is not really what the world needs more of, kind of like having corn in ice cream seems weird and unnatural. It’s God’s own strength, glory, and perfection that need to infiltrate everything. It’s God that needs to be on every label, because with that assurance, one does not have to worry about who or what is being exploited- it’s not happening. Our best efforts and good-intentions are still tainted with imperfections. That’s not to say we should not sow or even “fertilize” with our personality and gifts. It means that we should put forward our best for God, but not assume that only our efforts will reap a harvest. God “supplies the seed” and will “enlarge the harvest.”
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Fact Finding
I have a couple friends who just took off for Ethiopia this past Saturday. I am so excited for them. In fact I’m not sure I’ve ever been more juiced about people going oversees or on a mission before, except for my own folks who are LIVING on another continent. But that’s for another posting. This is about A&A. The couple who left their four children back in Spokane to follow God’s nudging to seek him out and gather information for home. It’s a fact finding trip…on the surface.
Fact finding is always as deep as a person is willing to search. Wikipedia has become the new and easiest source of information and as someone I know says, “If it’s on the internet, it must be true.” One can Google anything and have so many options (so long as the search word is spelled correctly) that a few clicks can take you to depths you had no idea existed. And yet even with the millions of pages and links that Google provides, it can’t compare to information gleaned from a conversation with a new friend who lives in the street on the other side of the world. Google that!
A&A emailed an update of their trip and described the stimulation and ever dousing newness of a new culture and place so well.
“Filtering everything through an American mindset does not work, our culture, sense of human rights, etc. can't process it all, and like a computer operating system loaded with programs it's not designed to handle, your mind and heart can crash. I believe that filtering everything through the timeless Word of God and praying for discernment is the best way to process the sights, sounds, smells that are Ethiopia.”
That’s a great description with the computer and worth a whole other blog, yet for now, something else profound popped out at me in that statement. “Filtering through the timeless (and may I add boundary-less) Word of God…best way to process.” As I mentioned, we often use a search engine or even an encyclopedia or book to filter our questions and theories. Those are good and useful but how often do we start with or even consider the Bible as a search engine? I am utterly guilty of overlooking it, especially with the important matters. So it’s great to be reminded by those who are experiencing new things and senses every moment. Our lives can become mundane, routine and unsurprising which in turn slows or ceases any search we might be on. Stimulation runs dry. We aren’t moved to know something new or simply forgotten.
Fact finding in Ethiopia will focus the trip for A&A, though if they could tangibly load those facts, I’m not sure they could carry all the bags. But I’m so grateful for their fact finding because not only will it impact me, their children, and the church when they share the stories, but it’s challenging me right now to seek and find. Find the facts that God has set for me here and now, to know, embrace and use.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17: 26-28
Fact finding is always as deep as a person is willing to search. Wikipedia has become the new and easiest source of information and as someone I know says, “If it’s on the internet, it must be true.” One can Google anything and have so many options (so long as the search word is spelled correctly) that a few clicks can take you to depths you had no idea existed. And yet even with the millions of pages and links that Google provides, it can’t compare to information gleaned from a conversation with a new friend who lives in the street on the other side of the world. Google that!
A&A emailed an update of their trip and described the stimulation and ever dousing newness of a new culture and place so well.
“Filtering everything through an American mindset does not work, our culture, sense of human rights, etc. can't process it all, and like a computer operating system loaded with programs it's not designed to handle, your mind and heart can crash. I believe that filtering everything through the timeless Word of God and praying for discernment is the best way to process the sights, sounds, smells that are Ethiopia.”
That’s a great description with the computer and worth a whole other blog, yet for now, something else profound popped out at me in that statement. “Filtering through the timeless (and may I add boundary-less) Word of God…best way to process.” As I mentioned, we often use a search engine or even an encyclopedia or book to filter our questions and theories. Those are good and useful but how often do we start with or even consider the Bible as a search engine? I am utterly guilty of overlooking it, especially with the important matters. So it’s great to be reminded by those who are experiencing new things and senses every moment. Our lives can become mundane, routine and unsurprising which in turn slows or ceases any search we might be on. Stimulation runs dry. We aren’t moved to know something new or simply forgotten.
Fact finding in Ethiopia will focus the trip for A&A, though if they could tangibly load those facts, I’m not sure they could carry all the bags. But I’m so grateful for their fact finding because not only will it impact me, their children, and the church when they share the stories, but it’s challenging me right now to seek and find. Find the facts that God has set for me here and now, to know, embrace and use.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' Acts 17: 26-28
Bad Cat!
What to do with a bad cat?
I have a roommate that acquired a cat right before I moved in about a month ago. I’m not sure I would have made the move under these conditions, but life takes unexpected twists which in turn requires a bit of flexibility. So anyway I live with a cat. Or should I say, we sometimes share space, large areas of space. I haven’t bonded enough to cuddle with the cat in bed or even touch it with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole. While Cat seems an efficient name for this story, her real name is so rare that it’s worth mentioning. Anomaly, Anna for short.
With any being that can choose between right and wrong, a parent must teach the being through modeling and discipline. Now I don’t expect the owner of this cat to play with strings to demonstrate good play and spank the cat for climbing on the table. But boundaries must be established. Well, not being a former cat owner- shocker I know- I was not aware that a common discipline tool is a squirt bottle with water. The cat crosses a line and SQUIRT! Inconsistency in the rules and discipline (mainly due to misplacing said bottle) has not led to proper behavior, but I try my best to provide that consistency.
Well recently a pink bottle showed up in the kitchen. Previously a blue water bottle followed the cat, but as I mentioned, it could not always be located. Well, the new pink bottle gave me hope that perhaps we were taking a more intentional stand against “bad cat behavior” by having multiple squirt bottles. Tonight the cat was all over the place. Flying from one chair to another, trying to climb my pant leg and walk across the table. I counted to 10 the first time but then the pink bottle came out. BAD CAT- SQUIRT!
All cat-lovers, do not report me to PETA. I’m kind and only following after the cat owner's actions. Or so I thought. The last direct hit came after a bunch of circus acts on and off the table and my fuse went. A few sprays and the cat ran off. Job well done until I hear, “That’s cooking oil!”
WHAT!?!
Unbelievable. No wonder the cat slid all over the floor and down the banister. It was being greased. Thankfully the cat isn’t a pyro because she would have gone up in flames. But of course, I immediately thought a bubble bath would be a good idea. Why not? I’m sure that would get the point across. No cats walking on the table, climbing in the dishwasher or fridge, scratching its way up my back. Yes, a bath. It’s a great place to clear the mind and set it straight.
I have a roommate that acquired a cat right before I moved in about a month ago. I’m not sure I would have made the move under these conditions, but life takes unexpected twists which in turn requires a bit of flexibility. So anyway I live with a cat. Or should I say, we sometimes share space, large areas of space. I haven’t bonded enough to cuddle with the cat in bed or even touch it with a thirty-nine-and-a-half foot pole. While Cat seems an efficient name for this story, her real name is so rare that it’s worth mentioning. Anomaly, Anna for short.
With any being that can choose between right and wrong, a parent must teach the being through modeling and discipline. Now I don’t expect the owner of this cat to play with strings to demonstrate good play and spank the cat for climbing on the table. But boundaries must be established. Well, not being a former cat owner- shocker I know- I was not aware that a common discipline tool is a squirt bottle with water. The cat crosses a line and SQUIRT! Inconsistency in the rules and discipline (mainly due to misplacing said bottle) has not led to proper behavior, but I try my best to provide that consistency.
Well recently a pink bottle showed up in the kitchen. Previously a blue water bottle followed the cat, but as I mentioned, it could not always be located. Well, the new pink bottle gave me hope that perhaps we were taking a more intentional stand against “bad cat behavior” by having multiple squirt bottles. Tonight the cat was all over the place. Flying from one chair to another, trying to climb my pant leg and walk across the table. I counted to 10 the first time but then the pink bottle came out. BAD CAT- SQUIRT!
All cat-lovers, do not report me to PETA. I’m kind and only following after the cat owner's actions. Or so I thought. The last direct hit came after a bunch of circus acts on and off the table and my fuse went. A few sprays and the cat ran off. Job well done until I hear, “That’s cooking oil!”
WHAT!?!
Unbelievable. No wonder the cat slid all over the floor and down the banister. It was being greased. Thankfully the cat isn’t a pyro because she would have gone up in flames. But of course, I immediately thought a bubble bath would be a good idea. Why not? I’m sure that would get the point across. No cats walking on the table, climbing in the dishwasher or fridge, scratching its way up my back. Yes, a bath. It’s a great place to clear the mind and set it straight.
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