Thursday, January 05, 2012

To End Slavery

Share photos on twitter with Twitpic More than 40,000 college aged students gave (not pledged, GAVE) more then 3 MILLION DOLLARS to end human trafficking in the US and abroad. They stood in line to give. They gave from their hearts, not their excess. They gave joyfully. They gave willfully. The Church needs to take a close look at itself and eliminate the Pharisees who make giving a duty to be trumpeted. The Church needs to rise and sing and give and disciple and love. Just sayin'.

Monday, January 02, 2012

My favorite photo of 2011

Gulf Shores, Alabama...

Sunday, January 01, 2012

A New Year

This is the day for making resolutions for change in this coming year. This is the day when the past is put away for good and the future is a bright and clean slate, ready to fill with good things. At least, that's what many people do this day. For me, New Year's Day is not a day for resolutions. The last resolution I made was one to  make no more resolutions in January. It's the only one I've actually kept.

For the next 6-10 weeks the road will be full of people resolved to lose weight or get in shape. The gym will be  packed as well. For the next week or so they will drink more water, make healthier food choices, and exercise every day. The food resolutions might last until the Super Bowl in February, and by March the roads and gym will be home to those who do not resolve, but those who simply DO.

As for putting away the past year, I'm not convinced that's the right thing to do either. Granted, some years are better than others, but every year contains lessons to learn and remember. Every year has moments of satisfaction. Going into a new year hoping for something better doesn't accomplish anything except set up expectations for things outside of personal control.

I prefer to live in the present, neither dwelling on the past nor driven by the future. Each day has enough trouble and enough potential of its own. If I can awaken in the morning and put my feet on the floor, it's already a good day. If I can have a cup of coffee with a satisfying breakfast, I am more blessed than many.  If I can move my body for the sake of health, I am ahead of the game. If I have a job to do, my needs are met. If I have a purpose for each day, then I am rich.

I don't need the turn of the calendar to motivate me to think theses thoughts; they are part of my daily routine. Gratitude should be as natural as breathing for anyone living in this country. We have much to be thankful for.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Annunciation

Another in the series of images based on poetry by Madeleine L'Engle

"This is the irrational season
When love blooms bright and mild.
Had Mary been filled with reason
There'd have been no room for the child."

"After Annunciation" Madeleine L'Engle, Crosswicks Ltd. 1978