His Love Deep Down In My Heart

Today David and I had the opportunity to attend a seminar on missional living in Portland. The seminar was generally inspiring - many pastors and young adults with a heart for transforming their community and taking a new approach of ministering to others. The main point of the meeting (as I understood) was that mutual relationships are essential to effective ministry as well as paying attention to the many community assets that always exist.

I enjoyed hearing people's hearts for ministry and building relationships with their neighborhoods and making a positive impact for the kingdom, but I felt something was amiss. If this was a secular meeting, I would say it was amazing and fully covered every base possible. However, given that this was a meeting of Christians looking to minister to the community, I felt the most basic element was somehow lost.

Christians who have been transformed and impacted by Christ's redeeming love have something that no secular organization or person can create or develop. No theory or structure can transform a life as much as the beautiful and powerful love of Christ.

It seems so simple, we sung about it at Sunday school all our life, maybe even took it forgranted most of our lives - but if we think about it - as Christians, the only way we are able to pour out our energies and love on each other and have passion for justice and relationship is because of the love that Christ put in our hearts. Apart from Christ, we are nothing, and our energies and passions would reveal it.

This simple truth may be easily forgotten, but if one is truly seeking to minister, they will soon realize that they NEED to draw strength from the Lord. Apart from Christ, our own minds and bodies will fail - especially if we are developing relationships with people.

I believe every individual was created by God in His image and has a lot to offer this world, believer or not. I believe it is absolutely necessary to build relationships with those around us, regardless of their beliefs or attitudes - it is our calling to love, serve, and share God's love. How this looks - of course depends on the context, but as Christians seeking to live out the Kingdom, we must remember where our direction, life, and love comes from. We must remember what separates us from the world and why we are doing what we are doing.

This is definitely something that I have and will continue to ponder as we continue the ministry God has called us to at Barberry.

June Reflection

The end of June already? Incredible! These past two months have been a time of joyous transition that inevitably made me lose all sense of time - but I don't mind :) I've gotten married (wedding planning stress no more!) and began building our new home with my wonderful husband. We've had a lot of fun visiting Home Depot and seeing our garage sale purchases finding their perfect fit in our apartment. Of course, its only been 2 weeks since our wedding - we still have a lot to do (anyone know where to find a sweet entry/console table?), but we are satisfied with what we have. We are definitely looking forward to entertaining our friends at our home and practicing the wonderful art of hospitality!

On another note - today, I was pondering what to make for brunch with the limited groceries that lay in my fridge. We had a lot of leftover pita bread from the wedding that I figured I might as well use. I was craving a sandwich - and behold a pita sandwich was born. It turned out quite delicious I must say :) Here's the details of what I used - but do experiment! (and let me know how yours turns out!)

-1 slice of pita bread
-Lightly spread pita bread with Mayo
-Generously shred cheese on pita bread
-add 2-3 peices of sandwich turkey ham (or your fave meat)
-Microwave for 25 seconds for cheese to melt
-Add your fave veggies, mine were: cucumbers, tomatoes & lettuce.
-Fold up the pita bread into a taco/wrap style and walla!



Delicious, quick & easy - just the way I like it!

And now, back to the laundry.. :)

Inspiration

Ever wonder how techno music came to be? This video explains everything..



;)

Ice-cream for 31 cents?!

Yes! Today only - Weds. April 29th, Baskin Robbins will be selling small scoops of ice-cream for 31 cents! :D

(Thanks to Frugal Living for the heads-up).

Earth day thoughts..

Oregon.
Incomprehensible beauty surrounds me as I drive down I-84
What for did God choose to bless us Oregonians with the gorge?

The sunrise awakens the city
The rain refreshes the land
The suns rays cover the city with warmth and light
At night the stars sparkle and moon shine with peace.

Yes, there is pain and a lot of hurt in this land
Many people hungry, crying, slowly dying
But the majesty of the Lord beckons with each sunrise
Each sunset, in its wonderful array of colors sings God's love for us.

We are spoiled, blessed beyond measure by the God who loves
And with His love, He gave us the gift of His creation
Not to worship, but to adore
Explore
And find joy in the intricacies of God's creativity.

This Earth day, and all days of the year, I encourage you to look outside and see the beauty. See the beauty and see the Creator who made the beauty.

How does it feel?

I cannot adequately describe the beauty, the majesty of God in His creation, but Praise God for it!



And in celebration of God's awesome imagination in His creation, why not drink a Jones Soda!

Spring - ride a bike!

In honor of good weather, saving the environment, and the good old bicycle..


David showed me this video claiming it is a classic American staple. I never heard of the song until David started riding his bike to work and singing this song. I like it - glad to continue being Americanized (and realizing how un-American-cultured I am!).

New Kind of Coupon

I confess - I am a lover of bargains and free stuff. But really, who isn't?! Some people are really good at this and take it a serious level - clipping coupons and saving bank left and right, which someday I hope to be proficient in as well - but in the meantime, clipping coupons remained a fantasy.

UNTIL I came across the new kind of coupon that I could definitely roll with..

Believe it or not, but if you text the word "Roasted" to 74700 you will get a free roastburger w/ purchase of drink coupon sent right to your phone. No catch - just show Arby's your text message and you will get your free burger.

David and I took advantage of this the other day, and boy did we LOVE the Roastburger. This is definitely a deal worth trying.

And please, spread the love.