InterFaith Friendships

My Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday office is more often than not the Starbucks attached to the Gelman Library on the George Washington University campus. We call it “Gelbucks.” Someday, I will have to tell you about the unique aspects of my University that make it all at once intimidating and glorious.

Gelbucks is the busiest Starbucks in the District of Columbia, and I would venture to say that it is one of the busiest in the country. It is open 24 hours during the school year, every night except Saturday night.

There is an interesting clientele of regulars at Gelbucks, which is largely due to the unique nature of the student body at GW. I do not know them at this point, but by the end of the school year, I hope to know them personally.

First, all through the summer, every single time I was in Starbucks, there was a man in his 40’s, usually wearing a yarmulke or kippah, and his table is always covered in large, dusty, well-worn and intimidating Hebrew books. I assume that he is a Rabbi, or at least another type of Hebrew teacher. Hour after hour, young Jewish students, usually males, but a few women as well, come in to meet with him. The Rabbi should win a prize for his energy and enthusiasm in trying to make these young students see how important their history is to them. I have always tried to determine whether he was emphasizing the cultural, historical, traditional, doctrinal, or Scriptural aspects of Judaism. There is such a split in Judaism between Orthodox Jews who uphold the letter of their Scripture, and those who are Jews in name only, and are in fact heavily left-leaning. I am so curious about his faith, and whether he thinks that the students are responsive, or whether their parents make them meet with him to hopefully lead to some accountability.

A second individual I have seen, though less often, is a tiny woman, draped in heavy, long clothes, always wearing a dark colored hat to cover her hair. I assume that she is an Orthodox Jew, probably in her 30s and very plain, but very soulfully and exquisitely beautiful. She is so petite and unadorned, but her large eyes and peaceful countenance are so lovely. She also studies a heavy Hebrew text and I noticed her meeting with female GW students last week. I wonder if she is a religious teacher, a counterpoint to the more gregarious male Rabbi.

Third, there is a woman who kind of reminds me of myself. She dresses similarly, and has long, wavy hair, however, her hair is a natural burnt orange color. She meets with her students regularly, and I overheard her tell someone that she is Catholic, and she is a professor here. I think she is a lecturer rather than a tenure tack professor, but I don’t know. Today, she is talking to students about philosophy, and church history. Definitely a friend in the making, I hope. Very friendly and warm as well.

Fourth, when I attended the Iftar (last day of the Ramadan fasting for observant Muslims) dinner with some InterVarsity students in September, we sat at a table with a man from Egypt who is here for a year studying in a graduate program on campus. He is here in DC, away from his wife for a year, and unable to go home. He is often here, skyping and talking to her on his computer. He is an observant and respectful Muslim man, very kind. I am sure that I could learn a lot about his faith from getting to know him.

So, I need to be active and bold in pursuing these new friendships. I have starry eyed dreams of an “Interfaith dialog of local Starbucks patrons.” We would certainly be an interesting bunch.

Hide-n-Seek, "Hiding Stinks"

Hey Sister-Friend,

When do you hide? What makes you duck when you see someone you know approaching, or lay low rather than assert your voice, presence or opinion into a relationship?

For me, I suppose that it is when I feel “behind,” like I have dropped the ball on something, or I have not been diligent and responsible. Hiding is always covering up my indiscretion, or not following through with something I have assented to. I feel guilt and shame because I don’t live up to my perfectionist inclinations.

Another reason is fear. I remember so vividly watching an episode of Gray’s Anatomy nearly three years ago (which was one of the last times I watched the show, by the way). In this episode, a woman had ignored and refused to see a doctor regarding a growth on her neck that kept growing and growing into literally a HUGE tumor the size of her head that was so obvious. It was a malignant tumor, but she never went into the Doctor because she was too scared to find out what was wrong with her. Because of fear, she procrastinated. Her fear led her to a fatal condition. I realized, then, that any procrastination I was overlooking or nursing in my own life was rooted in fear.

At that point in my life, I started heavily battling fear. And that ultimately culminated in me cutting back from my full time work load, and my life has improved incredibly since then. I am not quenching the Spirit as much by yielding to fear.

At some points, insecurity also has prevented me from facing something head-on. When I didn’t have my hair done, or my makeup, or when I decide to wear flat shoes once in a blue moon, sometimes I would rather escape an impromptu chat session.

So, when you duck so you don’t have to see someone, why is it? Is it the nagging conscience over negligence, irresponsibility, laziness, insecurity, or fear?

Alternatively, when all of your ducks are in a row, when you are responsible and put together and you feel classy and sophisticated and elegant, isn’t it WONDERFUL to run into people on the street and get the chance to say hello? Don’t you go out of your way to flag someone down just to catch up?

What makes the difference? I think it is inner peace, a responsible attitude toward one’s life and priorities, and the confidence that comes from a healthy interest and cognizance of one’s appearance and personal style. Other people respond to this very favorably. You can always spot a shrinking, fading, and insecure person, and it is always unattractive.

So, chin up, hold your head high, and stride on to face the tasks of the day. I will not be hiding myself.

One way I need to make sure that I combat this “hiding” is in my room. It is messy. Always messy. Nowadays, it is not a disaster area as it used to be, it is merely messy. A thorn in my side (NO! that is a victim mentality). But I am taking responsibility for it and it will be organized and put in line by tonight! Promise. Check back with me tomorrow. Hold me to it.

Notice, please, that the reason we duck/hide from someone else is entirely about US, never about them. So turn that around. When people behave in a dishonoring toward you, it is almost always about them, not about you.

I'd like to meet you

This is a repost from my Mom, but it is a very sweet song about the anticipation of friendship, love, and anyone special to you that you have yet to meet. Make sure you watch the video as well, it is part of what is sweet about this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSaPbVjcrp4

I DON'T KNOW by Lisa Hannigan

I don't know what you smoke
Or countries you been too
If you speak any other languages
other than your own, I'd like to meet you

I don't know if you drive
If you love the ground beneath you
I don't know if you write letters or you panic on the phone
I'd like to call you all the same,
If you want to
I am game

I don't know if you can swim
If the sea is any draw for you
If your better in the morning or when the sun goes down
I'd like to call you

I don't know if you can dance
If the thought ever occurred to you
If you eat what you've been given or you push it around your plate
I'd like to cook for you all the same
I would want to
I am game

If you walk away, I could keep my head
We could creep away
In the dark
Or maybe now
We could shoot it down anyway

I don't know if you read novels or the magazines
If you love the hand that feeds you
I assume that your heart's been broke
I'd like to know you

You don't know if I can draw at all
Or what records I am into
If I sleep like a spoon or really at all
Or maybe you would do
Or maybe you would do

If you walk away, I will keep my head
We will feel our way through the dark
Though I don't know you
I think that I would do
I don't believe at all
at all at all at all

If you walk away, I will keep my head
We will feel our way through the dark
Though I don't know you
I think that I would do
I don't believe you at all

'Tis the Season for Ice Skating and Tree Trimmings

I'm going ice skating on Saturday! Is it so bad that my first thoughts were, "Oh, what kind of cute ice-skating outfit can I put together?"

Also, my friend has 5-year old twin nieces who share my December 23rd birthday. Last year they asked why no one else had "Birthday Trees" like they had. (Get it?? They thought the Christmas trees were their birthday trees). So this year, I guess the real celebrant of the Birthday tree is little baby Jesus.

Just another reason to adore my birthday. Not that the day means much to me, but I really love the seasonal celebration and yuletide joy.

And.....sometime in the next few weeks, maybe even next week for Thanksgiving, I am going to make some Biscotti! Yum!

How God Helps Me Out, part 1 (in the Kitchen)

There are some dramatic things that I could put under this heading, and one may come in the next few days, but it would just take too much energy and weight right now. For now, here is my lighter scenario.

A few month ago, I attended a seminar with my Capitol Hill prayer group about “Heavenly Hospitality.” The speaker, a very gracious, put-together and experienced hostess, in some sense spoke over our heads. In doing so, she spoke into our destinies. Most of us are young, poor, and live alone or with a handful of other young, poor DC-ites. We can’t offer the same kind of hospitality that a 50 year old couple in the suburbs can. But here are some timeless guidelines she bestowed upon our eager minds and starry dreams.

First, open your home. Taking people to a restaurant, while kind, is not the same as showing hospitality. There is a certain “magic” about visiting someone’s home, and a certain vulnerability is shared. Meeting for coffee at a cafe is nice, but a dinner or brunch at one’s home is special and rare. Moreover, your home needn’t be perfect. Let that go. No one’s home is perfectly clean and organized, and sometimes that can be intimidating.

Second, always be prepared. The speaker has a pantry full of food that she can “whip up” if she has unexpected guests that she or her husband just invite over on a whim. In fact, they stock up so that they CAN be obedient and spontaneous when the Lord moves and leads them to invite people over.

Third, don’t exclude. The speaker stressed that “heavenly hospitality” is intended to share the Gospel with non-believers. People without Christ and without the church are often the most starved for intimacy and fellowship and community. Therefore, these individuals should be the ones we put first in inviting into our homes. It is the perfect foundation for conversations about faith. Again, being in one’s home is a completely different setting than at the Starbucks or Le Bon Café down the street.

I made a commitment to myself at this seminar to build up a store of food that I could put together when I feel the need to invite people over. All too often in the past, I have wanted to invite people over, but had nothing to serve them, whether coffee, lunch or dinner. So I bought some basic ingredients: pasta, sauce, and ground beef for spaghetti, I made and froze soup, bought a large bag of frozen chicken from Costco, and gathered a few other things as well. I also received a Crockpot as a gift (thanks, Auntie Caedamon), which has been tremendously helpful.

Because I took these steps to be prepared, I feel that God has really helped me out and given me creative ideas about what to make and what ingredients I had in store.
Now, I have not been diligent in inviting people over to make the whole meal, but I have contributed items to home-gatherings and parties. Here’s the latest.

(By the way, as an aside, my roommate inherited some Top Ramen and Mashed Potato flakes from an old roommate of hers, and has been trying to get rid of them. Just keep this in mind as it plays into the miracle of the story!)

I needed to bring a dish to a large baby shower for 30 women, and I didn’t have much to work with. However, I had just inadvertently half-thawed four large frozen chicken breasts (by leaving the freezer cracked open) and I had three heads of lettuce from a Costco bag. I was going to make chicken salad, but don’t like it Caesar-style. Then I remembered the Top Ramen noodles and decided to make a Chinese Chicken salad with the top ramen, chicken, lettuce, and I would make my own dressing. All that I needed to buy for this huge salad was a small can of mandarin oranges, that was less than a dollar! So I was able to contribute to the spread with very little cost to me. God helped me be creative with what I had and not go out and buy a lot of ingredients and try to carry them all home on the Metro. I also got creative with dressing, and made my own using the juice from the mandarin oranges, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce (sweet), a bit of apricot jam to add to the sweetness. It was great! Anyway, this felt to me like God was providing for me as I was dedicated to being prepared. He made it work!

The second scenario was that I invited my friend over for lunch yesterday. As I was thinking about what to make, she responded that she would love to come, but she only eats fruit, veggies and nuts. That’s okay with me, because those are my favorite things as well. But a quick assessment of my pantry showed me that I had almost everything I needed for our beautiful meal. It was the most colorful salad I’ve ever seen. We had romaine leaves, corn and garbanzo beans, fresh cranberries, and perfectly, and I mean perfectly roasted nuts that I had toasted. Topped with lemon juice. I also cut up my sweet potato and put it on top because it was such a deep russet color. We also had red delicious apples cut up with cinnamon and lemon on top. Again, without me having to go out and purchase much at all, we had a delightful meal.

Here’s the kicker! I am planning on having a small dinner party for a bible study that meets at my house every Thursday night. One of the girls is turning 30 and I just wanted to do something nice, since it’s a big birthday and she is very much the woman who goes out of her way to celebrate other people. I decided to make a dainty, feminine meal of chicken corn chowder with green side salad and sourdough bread and a yummy dessert, and possibly white wine. So as I was looking up recipes for what I needed to make chicken corn chowder, I realized, to my amazement, (because I don’t even know where to start in making this soup) that I need to buy only about three ingredients….the creamed corn, green onion, and one potato. I have all the other ingredients, down to the mashed potato flakes that my roommate inherited months ago! I chuckled when I realized that the mashed potato flakes were in the recipe because that is such a God thing…using what we have already, and blessing me for being prepared and trying to build up my “pantry” and stepping out in faith to try to be hospitable and give what I have.

Honest Confessions and "More Love to Thee"

[excerpt from a letter to a loved one of mine...the Truth of my heart just tumbled right out. Tread carefully, please]

…I wish I could just sit down and talk to you for a good long time, face to face. And do I ever HEAR you on the walking this thing out with just you and God. That has been the tenor of my life for a while now. There was a period over a year ago when I felt that I was supposed to be just pondering, collecting, and storing things up silently in my own mind and soul, to work out between just me and God. It was a time of silence and near-loneliness for me, but it was so good because I, too, have always run to the phone or email to pass on the experiences I was having and to gather up everyone’s opinion on an issue. That is not bad, per se, and God has given me such lovely and wise counselors in my life, but at the same time, sometimes it just NEEDS to be you and God alone. He needs some alone time with us. There is very much a time for Holy loneliness... I really felt called to solitude for a time. It also coincided with ending my full-time work schedule, so I wasn’t at work with ample time to email, so that helped, too. I did find that it helped me move forward (or away from) certain relationships that it was time to move away from.

I also know what you mean about letting other people have too much influence in your decision making. I have found that I am a people pleaser who gives too much power to others. When they are happy with me, I feel confident and good about myself. When I am not getting affirmation from others, I tend to be insecure and anxious and worried. But I read this amazing little tiny poem that has stuck with
me. It says:

“To inoculate me from the praise of man,
He baptized me in the criticism of man,
Until I died to control of man.”

…I don’t even really know what [I love you] means. I don’t know when I love someone, I don’t know what it means to be loved, and I don’t know what it means to be loved by God. I know He loves me, but I don’t know what that means. I do, know, however, that I love Him. I know what that means. And I pray to know even more love for my Savior. The woman who wrote the book “Stepping Heavenward” wrote the amazing old hymn, so simple but so true, “More Love to Thee.”

You can listen to a snippet of it here: (By Fernando Ortega, one of my favorite artists of all time).

But, yeah, I don’t even really know what it means that God loves me. I don’t doubt it, but I just don’t know that I receive it very well, if at all. I need to be more vulnerable and let people love me. And I need to love others more. I serve them and like them, but I don’t know what love is.

…In some ways, I feel like I don’t have anything to bring to a relationship. Especially in DC, people here are homogenous and everyone is good at the same things I excel in, and are interested in the same things as me. I don’t have any interests or hobbies or talents or anything like that at all. I don’t do anything unusual or interesting, and at this point, my “hobby” includes jogging on the Mall.

It is such a privilege for me to watch [all of my friends growing and excelling]. But sometimes it is hard, too. I feel like life is whizzing right by me. And frankly sometimes I feel so boring and like I don’t have anything going for me. I know that what I am working toward is a thankless goal, that will have one big payoff at the end, but boy has it just been an uphill marathon through the rain and snow and sleet and icy wind. It would be so nice to have a husband to love me and encourage me and affirm me in this. Instead, I feel like my accomplishments are going to the be the very thing that presents a barrier to achieving what I truly want most in life, to have a family full of children who will love Jesus and live out his Gospel in a community where other people will come to know Jesus.

So I am more scared today of where my life will end up than ever before. But I have faith that He who has called me will be faithful to complete it in the end. I am just in a funk, with my cousin getting married, and other friends not far from it. Wow, what different lives we lead. And it is so hard to be away from you when all of this is happening. I had intended that when my exam was over in September, that I would have free time to travel and connect with you and my family, but I feel like God has taken that away from me for the time being…

Security Blanket

Amy Grant is one of the most beautiful people that I know (or would like to know). This song is beautiful. Cece Winans, though I am not overly familiar with her or her music, is a gorgeous, glowing woman. Together, these three elements present something that approximates the meaning of "home" to me. It is angelic, and of the heavenly realm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf6fGqEfewc

"Christian" "dating"-- both words belong in quotations

Want to enter the strange and trendy new world of old-school Christian dating? Well, you need never look farther than this website/web-magazine I recently found that highlights what's good and what's really scary about being a young adult in today's age. Very interesting stuff; I can take some and leave some of it, but it is definitely interesting and counter cultural. It's Focus on the Family run, and interestingly enough, it publishes articles by a man I grew up with in Clovis....it's always nice to see thoughtful, Spirit-filled adults that grow out of our childhood acquaintances. Check it out and...brace yourself...it can be a little revolutionary.

boundless.org

Winter Shoes

Tall, water resistant, reflective of the clothing colors whether brown, black, or red, these shoes are perfect for me!

A healthy heart is good medicine!

Speaking of healthcare, I am so very grateful for my medical insurance. I haven't had any emergencies where I "needed" it, per se, but I definitely have made a point to go in and get my regular check ups. Today was one of those days, and it just feels so good to be able to put your life in order and to be proactive in your health.

There is a significant amount of satisfaction that comes from a healthy body. To that end, I have been cooking in the crockpot, and it is AMAZING! Meals are ready to go when I get home from school or work, and they are healthy and hearty and exactly as flavorful or spicy or salty or tangy as I want it!

Anyway, yay for being able to go in and see the Doctor when I want to, and you know what? I like my Doctor!

Abortion is not health care

Last night, the House of Representatives sent a resounding message that abortion is not health care. Tax payer money will be prohibited from funding abortion in the new health care bill. This is a huge victory.

I am so grateful and thankful for the conviction and concern of members of Congress like Bart Stupak (D-MI) who stand up to leadership and remain true to the Truth that all life is ordained by God. Thank you Mr. Stupak, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Radanovich, and the many others who stand for life and truth. God bless you! And may He use me and others in similar fashion in our lives, to be the voice of Truth in an unfriendly and hostile situation.

Ft. Hood

Yesterday I spent an hour writing a Veteran's day statement to be given to soldiers and their families and veterans in California. I prayed first, and then sat down and began to compose out of my creativity and spirit. I wanted to encourage and honor and bless our self-sacrificing servicemen.

I spoke of the work that our military has done in Afghanistan to lay the goundwork for a democratic, though tumultuous election that took place early this week. I spoke of how the most important and worthwhile efforts in life are always costly, as our WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Iraq and Afghanistan veterans can attest to.

I was so pleased to bless them with the Numbers 6 blessing from Scripture, and I submitted this document and it was accepted and slated to be read. I went to bed feeling very rested and contented in this work.

This morning, I awoke to detestable news. Thirteen soldiers had been shot and killed at Fort Hood, Texas, by a Major in the army. Although his motives are uncertain-- they could have been religiously based-- it is a tragedy on many levels. I am so sorry, so sorry, and so prayerful for the families of the deceased and wounded soldiers who must face this Veteran's day in the wake of such loss of life. It is even more unfortunate that this massacre occured from one within the instituiton of the military. I pray that healing and reparation can be made this side of heaven, though we know that all justice and truth will occur only when we see Him face to face. All the questions of the world will grow dim and inconsequential when we encounter the one called Faithful and True (Revelation 19). Jesus, come back soon for your own. Heal our land and protect us all as we seek to glorify you.

Hidden in my Heart

I am really trying hard to memorize Scripture. To get it DEEP down there in my bones, in my marrow, so that it changes the way my brain and all my synapses and joints and cells operate. I want what Stanley Jones would call a "Christian Body." I want every elemental physiological and psychological and biochemical cell in my being to resonate with Scripture, which is Truth Alone.

So here are the verses that God gave me to start out with. Now...they are from memory so if I missed something, have GRACE for my poor overworked brain.

Abraham Believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness Romans 4:3

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen Hebrews 11:1

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which he has prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

You formed my innermost parts. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me. Galatians 2:10