I don't really know much about slam poetry, but from what I have seen of it I really think it is cool. I admire the poets that spew out their stories and imagery with such force and feeling that it can really get you stirred up! Here are a couple that I have enjoyed:
Shane Koyczan, "the crickets have arthritis" - friend showed this to me after we had a little poetry session at someone's house.
And this one I found when at Mat Kearney's website looking for the release of his new album. His name is Anis Mojgani.
you have any favorite slam poets? I'm relatively new to this. I apologize that I can't post the videos, or I just don't know how! (update, as you noticed, I think I figured out how!)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
prayer, God's presence
I just really wanted to highlight my good friend's reflections on prayer and acknowledging God's presence in our lives, even in the mundane or as we go through our tasks. I think he really captures it well and believe that his thoughts and words will inspire and bless you: Urban Margin
What are your thoughts on constant prayer and God's presence?
What are your thoughts on constant prayer and God's presence?
Friday, July 29, 2011
transitions
Transitions oh transitions!
The other day my supervisor let me know that the director paid me a compliment. She has a habit of notifying me of the things he says because he would never actually say it to me. It is a very kind thing for her to do. He said that I had handled the transitions over the last few months very well and remarked on how smooth it was.
Today is a good day to reflect on that. Wednesday actually marked my last day of employment, where I had worked for a little over two years. While not very long, it felt long as there were so many changes as is the nature of this kind of work paired with a structure more akin to an organism, constantly shaping and shifting in response to what comes its way.
As I write, I am waiting for a call to let me know when I should do my exit interview today. I realize that this is actually pivotal to my transition into returning to the education world. I could choose to complain about things that bothered me and I held my tongue on. I could get all puffed up and spew it all out and leave in a mess. Then I think about how important is this? Is it worth it? What is most important? I think about relationships that I value and most of all I am continually drawn to loving people and doing that well. I think that the way I leave must demonstrate that. That doesn't mean not being honest or truthful, but doing so in a way that is constructive, positive, and praying for the best for them.
If I were to leave in a negative fashion, I think part of myself would remain behind. Therefore, hindering transition. While my experience has been mostly good and I have been treated well, nobody is perfect. Although I reflect on this, I certainly wasn't entertaining the idea of leaving in a raging tirade. Its more important that I think things through and realize that I have to live out my convictions especially in light of my last blog on love.
I think have to be honest with them and leave everything there. If I leave wishing I had said this or that, and hold on to "well I was wronged this way" and "that wasn't fair" and "really, they owe me big time" or any other kind of thing I am in the wrong by keeping a list of their faults (not loving them). I would hinder myself from growth by not moving on in my journey, by leaving a part of me there.
As I write this, I am reminded of something that I tell the teens all the time. It is not what about other people do, we cannot let that affect our actions and thoughts. In the end we are responsible for our own actions and responses. When we react, we think we are God because truly each person is accountable to Him and for us to think we should carry out justice is foolish.
I have learned a lot over the last two years and I owe that to the experiences provided me and the graciousness and flexibility of those older and wiser than me. I am thankful to the kids that let me be a part of their lives and inspired me with their stories, most of the time without knowing it. I am thankful for the endless opportunities to love and forgive. Sometimes I feel my love is very small and on low supply, but I don't ever recall Jesus saying that it would be easy to love. He said just do it because it is the most important thing. If life were perfect and everyone was good to each other, we might not realize our acts of love.
What do your transitions look like? How are you challenged to love people?
The other day my supervisor let me know that the director paid me a compliment. She has a habit of notifying me of the things he says because he would never actually say it to me. It is a very kind thing for her to do. He said that I had handled the transitions over the last few months very well and remarked on how smooth it was.
Today is a good day to reflect on that. Wednesday actually marked my last day of employment, where I had worked for a little over two years. While not very long, it felt long as there were so many changes as is the nature of this kind of work paired with a structure more akin to an organism, constantly shaping and shifting in response to what comes its way.
As I write, I am waiting for a call to let me know when I should do my exit interview today. I realize that this is actually pivotal to my transition into returning to the education world. I could choose to complain about things that bothered me and I held my tongue on. I could get all puffed up and spew it all out and leave in a mess. Then I think about how important is this? Is it worth it? What is most important? I think about relationships that I value and most of all I am continually drawn to loving people and doing that well. I think that the way I leave must demonstrate that. That doesn't mean not being honest or truthful, but doing so in a way that is constructive, positive, and praying for the best for them.
If I were to leave in a negative fashion, I think part of myself would remain behind. Therefore, hindering transition. While my experience has been mostly good and I have been treated well, nobody is perfect. Although I reflect on this, I certainly wasn't entertaining the idea of leaving in a raging tirade. Its more important that I think things through and realize that I have to live out my convictions especially in light of my last blog on love.
I think have to be honest with them and leave everything there. If I leave wishing I had said this or that, and hold on to "well I was wronged this way" and "that wasn't fair" and "really, they owe me big time" or any other kind of thing I am in the wrong by keeping a list of their faults (not loving them). I would hinder myself from growth by not moving on in my journey, by leaving a part of me there.
As I write this, I am reminded of something that I tell the teens all the time. It is not what about other people do, we cannot let that affect our actions and thoughts. In the end we are responsible for our own actions and responses. When we react, we think we are God because truly each person is accountable to Him and for us to think we should carry out justice is foolish.
I have learned a lot over the last two years and I owe that to the experiences provided me and the graciousness and flexibility of those older and wiser than me. I am thankful to the kids that let me be a part of their lives and inspired me with their stories, most of the time without knowing it. I am thankful for the endless opportunities to love and forgive. Sometimes I feel my love is very small and on low supply, but I don't ever recall Jesus saying that it would be easy to love. He said just do it because it is the most important thing. If life were perfect and everyone was good to each other, we might not realize our acts of love.
What do your transitions look like? How are you challenged to love people?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
love
The other day I had some ample time to think while transporting one of my residents to a home visit. I had the drive back alone to consider my frustration at my situation and my supervisor. I began to outline what I might say to them, how I have felt treated unfairly or wronged and started to check off a mental list of all the times that had happened.
As my feelings welled up within me as I relived each moment, I tried to reason with myself and lose the frustration and be rational. As I believe to be good practice I did my best to see it from the other person's perspective and was able to do so, of course with some of my own quick rebuttals and comments in defense. At this point, I usually debate over what makes more sense, unfortunately, I am biased towards myself. Yes, how's that for an understatement?
This is where things took an interesting turn and I think the Spirit took over and redirected my thoughts. I began to think about Matthew 22:34-40, where Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is. First he says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" which references Deuteronomy. Then he says, And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself' which is from Leviticus.
I'm sure we've all heard sermons or reflections on this. But I find it so interesting, that Jesus doesn't stop with the greatest commandment, he says what is second and says that they are similar. You might naturally think that it would be #1 Love God, and #2 don't do bad things. No! He says to love others, he says to love our enemies.
I hear this all the time, put others before yourself. Or the cute little reminder:
Jesus
Others
Yourself
For the most part, we think of just putting up with those we don't like and being patient. Or being nice. Or serving the under privileged.
So I wondered, where is this going? I questioned then, what is love? This is where I was directly convicted. Naturally, I was directed to 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, love is kind, etc etc. You know it, you've heard it.
Love keeps no records of wrongs. Wow, Holy Spirit, could you be any more clear? Here I was, digging up every time I felt wronged because I had been treated rudely and yet I'm being told that if I am to love this person I can't keep a record of their wrongs against me. This blew me away! I think that in my experience in life, Christians will live by this with other Christians for the most part because we preach forgiveness.
But think about it, how many people do you know that has written somebody off because of reasons A-Z and will not associate with them any more. Or so and so aren't talking because he did this. How many divorces are born out of wrongs held against each other?
The beginning of 1 Corinthians 13 in verse 3 says, "If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing." Dang. Here I am, I work to serve teens and I am mad at my boss. If I can't love my boss, then my work with these teens means nothing. Ouch.
Very sobering and convicting. And yet freeing. This same kind of love that I am told to extend towards others if offered to me. I am so endlessly thankful for this love that keeps no records of my wrongs.
What are your thoughts on love and loving your neighbor?
[To tie things together...I made peace with my boss. It was largely a misunderstanding and communication misfire.]
As my feelings welled up within me as I relived each moment, I tried to reason with myself and lose the frustration and be rational. As I believe to be good practice I did my best to see it from the other person's perspective and was able to do so, of course with some of my own quick rebuttals and comments in defense. At this point, I usually debate over what makes more sense, unfortunately, I am biased towards myself. Yes, how's that for an understatement?
This is where things took an interesting turn and I think the Spirit took over and redirected my thoughts. I began to think about Matthew 22:34-40, where Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment is. First he says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" which references Deuteronomy. Then he says, And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself' which is from Leviticus.
I'm sure we've all heard sermons or reflections on this. But I find it so interesting, that Jesus doesn't stop with the greatest commandment, he says what is second and says that they are similar. You might naturally think that it would be #1 Love God, and #2 don't do bad things. No! He says to love others, he says to love our enemies.
I hear this all the time, put others before yourself. Or the cute little reminder:
Jesus
Others
Yourself
For the most part, we think of just putting up with those we don't like and being patient. Or being nice. Or serving the under privileged.
So I wondered, where is this going? I questioned then, what is love? This is where I was directly convicted. Naturally, I was directed to 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, love is kind, etc etc. You know it, you've heard it.
Love keeps no records of wrongs. Wow, Holy Spirit, could you be any more clear? Here I was, digging up every time I felt wronged because I had been treated rudely and yet I'm being told that if I am to love this person I can't keep a record of their wrongs against me. This blew me away! I think that in my experience in life, Christians will live by this with other Christians for the most part because we preach forgiveness.
But think about it, how many people do you know that has written somebody off because of reasons A-Z and will not associate with them any more. Or so and so aren't talking because he did this. How many divorces are born out of wrongs held against each other?
The beginning of 1 Corinthians 13 in verse 3 says, "If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing." Dang. Here I am, I work to serve teens and I am mad at my boss. If I can't love my boss, then my work with these teens means nothing. Ouch.
Very sobering and convicting. And yet freeing. This same kind of love that I am told to extend towards others if offered to me. I am so endlessly thankful for this love that keeps no records of my wrongs.
What are your thoughts on love and loving your neighbor?
[To tie things together...I made peace with my boss. It was largely a misunderstanding and communication misfire.]
Saturday, July 9, 2011
follow up
Friends' comments on the previous blog got me thinking a little more.
I do think about how we can look back and it can be embarrassing to see how juvenile we might have been acting or feeling in a certain situation. It is surprising to see that it can really feel like a memory that belongs to someone else, probably because we are doing our best to erase or suppress it. I guess what I am seeing is that whether we like it or not, those things that we regret or rather not see are a part of us and play a formative role in getting us to where we are now! I think that it is a clear statement that says you have grown up and changed from the person in that memory.
A little over a week ago, I was talking with one of my teens about regret. She regretted making certain decisions and just could not get over the fact that she had done so. I heard myself telling her that we cannot live with regret otherwise we are not alive and we continue to live in the past--it prevents us from moving forward and living in the present. I think I needed to hear it too, we all do sometimes! We have to remember that our mistakes should not be relived and continually lamented because there is nothing we can do about it except learn from it. We were able to talk about the strength that she had gained from her decisions, the path she was currently on as a result, and how much more informed and equipped she is than the average person!
Sometimes too, it is hard to remember that grace is free and is infinitely abundant. At times we fail to accept the grace offered us for our wrongs and relive and essentially re-sin by going back to a specific moment. Why condemn ourselves when already forgiven?
I started wondering as well, how many of these "moments" that we go through are we IN right now? Are there things that I feel are so important or are upset about but will think only trivial in the future? If so, what can I do to see that now, to learn from the past to prevent regret in the present and the future? Are there areas in your life that need changing so that you don't look back and say, "man I wish...".
If it seems like I'm on two different tracks, I am. I think that there is a balance, of seeing how we change; admitting and accepting that we are just different from who we WERE; not living in regret; living in light of our past and learning from it.
I do think about how we can look back and it can be embarrassing to see how juvenile we might have been acting or feeling in a certain situation. It is surprising to see that it can really feel like a memory that belongs to someone else, probably because we are doing our best to erase or suppress it. I guess what I am seeing is that whether we like it or not, those things that we regret or rather not see are a part of us and play a formative role in getting us to where we are now! I think that it is a clear statement that says you have grown up and changed from the person in that memory.
A little over a week ago, I was talking with one of my teens about regret. She regretted making certain decisions and just could not get over the fact that she had done so. I heard myself telling her that we cannot live with regret otherwise we are not alive and we continue to live in the past--it prevents us from moving forward and living in the present. I think I needed to hear it too, we all do sometimes! We have to remember that our mistakes should not be relived and continually lamented because there is nothing we can do about it except learn from it. We were able to talk about the strength that she had gained from her decisions, the path she was currently on as a result, and how much more informed and equipped she is than the average person!
Sometimes too, it is hard to remember that grace is free and is infinitely abundant. At times we fail to accept the grace offered us for our wrongs and relive and essentially re-sin by going back to a specific moment. Why condemn ourselves when already forgiven?
I started wondering as well, how many of these "moments" that we go through are we IN right now? Are there things that I feel are so important or are upset about but will think only trivial in the future? If so, what can I do to see that now, to learn from the past to prevent regret in the present and the future? Are there areas in your life that need changing so that you don't look back and say, "man I wish...".
If it seems like I'm on two different tracks, I am. I think that there is a balance, of seeing how we change; admitting and accepting that we are just different from who we WERE; not living in regret; living in light of our past and learning from it.
Friday, July 1, 2011
foreign
I looked back at some of my previous blogs over the past few years. So many of them meant so much to me and were deeply personal or a sincere expression of what was going on at the time, it is interesting to reconnect with them and remember some of the thoughts, visions, and feelings. At the same time it feels foreign, as if my mind or heart is in a different place because it doesn't come up with those poems or pictures or stories as it did before. I wonder, is it suppressed or is this just a different phase of life? Part of me longs to write like that again, to always have these ideas popping into my mind. Another wonders, am I simply a different person than I was then? Life is interesting, always changing, I think it is so important to document in some form because everything looks different in retrospect. I think it is good to see how we thought or felt in a certain situation and compare it with now, knowing bigger picture and having more context. Some things might upset us in the moment and now we see it wasn't that big of a deal, and we can learn from it.
I think too, that it stirs up our passions and desires that we put aside or stifle. When we can look back and see and feel something that we care deeply about. I consider my poems prayers and so it is cool to revisit them and pray them all over again.
Do you ever experience anything like this? Whether it is looking through an old journal, or photos, or an old Bible or sermon notes or yearbooks or art projects?
I think too, that it stirs up our passions and desires that we put aside or stifle. When we can look back and see and feel something that we care deeply about. I consider my poems prayers and so it is cool to revisit them and pray them all over again.
Do you ever experience anything like this? Whether it is looking through an old journal, or photos, or an old Bible or sermon notes or yearbooks or art projects?
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