IJM is a wonderfully faithful organization, and Jim Martin, their Director of Church Mobilization has written a book entitled The Just Church. I have had the privilege of being part of a launch group for the book, and the following is my review:
Jim Martin lays out an invitation to engage in securing justice with both courage and humility. He illustrates how doing so is an integral part of our faith in Jesus Christ--not simply because of the magnitude of suffering and sin in our world but because God has invited us to join Him in this fight.
The fight for justice and righteousness is not an easy one, but Martin reminds us that "love proves itself most profoundly in adversity" (56). It is in these difficult times that fellowship, rest, and the nourishment of scripture become indispensable.
In the latter half of the book, Martin lays out a framework by which churches can effectively participate in bringing God's kingdom to Earth. It is not a formulaic, step-by-step instructional manual but rather a blueprint by which fellowships of believers may recognize how doing justice is essential to their faith
The discussion questions at the end of each chapter are thought-provoking and challenging and make "The Just Church" a wonderful tool for anyone who desires to effectively join in the fight for justice.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
A Full Plate without Grumbling
This season of life continues to be so very busy, but I have honestly not found many reasons to complain. I really enjoy everything I'm involved in: internship, community group and Radius (my church home), and classes. While I do wish that I didn't feel as though I was constantly sprinting just to keep up, busyness is a gift... even though the sloth in me wishes I had more time to bum around and waste time.
With all of the complaining I constantly hear (and often have participated in), it's nice to feel that I don't have much reason to gripe. Of course, everything's not perfect, but I am grateful to have a new appreciation for the charmed life I lead and to be grateful for my cramped, crazy schedule.
That is all.
With all of the complaining I constantly hear (and often have participated in), it's nice to feel that I don't have much reason to gripe. Of course, everything's not perfect, but I am grateful to have a new appreciation for the charmed life I lead and to be grateful for my cramped, crazy schedule.
That is all.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
From Bitterness to Forgiveness- A Difficult Road to Travel
Over the past few weeks I have come to a realization of my capacity for hatred and bitterness.
A dear relative of mine has been treated very unjustly in recent weeks by people who led her to believe that they loved and cared about her, and I have since become fiercely protective of her. While I believe that my inclination towards protecting her stems from love, I know that my feelings towards those who have hurt her come from a place of darkness. The anger that has recently surfaced shines light upon the bitterness that I harbor, and it is ugly.
Yesterday I hit what I hope is the low point. In sharing the recent goings-on of the situation in question, I blurted out that I "hate" a certain person, and I dropped a few other choice words as well. I could hardly believe what I had said, and it was as if I wasn't even in control of myself as the words flew out of my mouth.
Thankfully, the friend with whom I was sharing all of this showed me great grace and validated my feelings while reminding me that within each of us is the capacity to treat others poorly. Don't I know it! I believe that we are all capable of depraved, atrocious behavior, and my recent thoughts and words have strengthened that belief.
At this point, I can only pray that the Lord would make me willing to forgive, for I am not yet at a point where I feel that I can do so. In all honesty, if hating those people would result in punishment for what they have done, I would continue to hate. But I know that the ill will that I feel for them will only hurt me and do a disservice to the God who I hope will instill in me a capacity to not only forgive but to love those who have done wrong.
A dear relative of mine has been treated very unjustly in recent weeks by people who led her to believe that they loved and cared about her, and I have since become fiercely protective of her. While I believe that my inclination towards protecting her stems from love, I know that my feelings towards those who have hurt her come from a place of darkness. The anger that has recently surfaced shines light upon the bitterness that I harbor, and it is ugly.
Yesterday I hit what I hope is the low point. In sharing the recent goings-on of the situation in question, I blurted out that I "hate" a certain person, and I dropped a few other choice words as well. I could hardly believe what I had said, and it was as if I wasn't even in control of myself as the words flew out of my mouth.
Thankfully, the friend with whom I was sharing all of this showed me great grace and validated my feelings while reminding me that within each of us is the capacity to treat others poorly. Don't I know it! I believe that we are all capable of depraved, atrocious behavior, and my recent thoughts and words have strengthened that belief.
At this point, I can only pray that the Lord would make me willing to forgive, for I am not yet at a point where I feel that I can do so. In all honesty, if hating those people would result in punishment for what they have done, I would continue to hate. But I know that the ill will that I feel for them will only hurt me and do a disservice to the God who I hope will instill in me a capacity to not only forgive but to love those who have done wrong.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
CJL - Bat-tastic
Last night after our final banquet, awards ceremony, and baby boats of the summer, we finally got in bed. And not five minutes later did some large creature hit my ear. So I shot out of the bed (after a few choice words) to try and see what it was. No luck, so I tucked myself back in. And then I spotted a white-ish, rather large creature flying around the cabin. It was a bat! And Angela's cat, Newman, went ballistic!
So we did what any other self-respecting CIT moms would do- we screamed for our CITs to come and save us. (We could not open the door because Newman is not allowed outside. And I didn't want to leave the "safety" of my bed.) After a few minutes of us yelling "CITs, come help!" interspersed with hysterical laughing, our brave 2nd year Cintern busted through the door with a broom. (That's a CJL girl in true form!) And after more hysterics and swatting at the thing, the bat finally left.
For whatever reason, it seemed very fitting that such shenanigans would happen on our last night. Honestly, moments like those are one of my favorite things about CJL. Some of my most salient memories are the craziest- things that would never happen in the "real world," that produce good laughs.
This morning our last group of campers leaves, and tonight is our staff banquet. This summer really is over, and I can't believe it. CJL means more to me than I can express, and I am so grateful to the people here who make it what it is and to the Lord for allowing me to be part of it.
So we did what any other self-respecting CIT moms would do- we screamed for our CITs to come and save us. (We could not open the door because Newman is not allowed outside. And I didn't want to leave the "safety" of my bed.) After a few minutes of us yelling "CITs, come help!" interspersed with hysterical laughing, our brave 2nd year Cintern busted through the door with a broom. (That's a CJL girl in true form!) And after more hysterics and swatting at the thing, the bat finally left.
For whatever reason, it seemed very fitting that such shenanigans would happen on our last night. Honestly, moments like those are one of my favorite things about CJL. Some of my most salient memories are the craziest- things that would never happen in the "real world," that produce good laughs.
This morning our last group of campers leaves, and tonight is our staff banquet. This summer really is over, and I can't believe it. CJL means more to me than I can express, and I am so grateful to the people here who make it what it is and to the Lord for allowing me to be part of it.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
CJL - Wrapping Up
One week left here in the woods.
All of our CITs have completed their requirements and either graduated and are ready to be staff members or are ready to move on to the second year of the program. There were a few hiccups along the way, but a number of them really blossomed and emerged as leaders. I am so very proud of all their hard work.
It was difficult at times to let them lead the way and make mistakes, but in doing so I believe that I've had a tiny taste of parenthood. (They do call us the "CIT Mom's," after all.)
Five of them are staying to intern, or "cintern," as we say. And two of them have been hired for the upcoming "Gypsy Week" session that begins tomorrow. In short, Gypsy Week means thirty eight 7-9 year olds descending upon CJL. And anything is bound to happen.
In other news, I co-hosted the talent show last night with our program director, Kellly. She rocked a red leotard, and I dressed as a lion. A special shout-out to Liz Hilliker for lending me the lion's mane and tail!
All of our CITs have completed their requirements and either graduated and are ready to be staff members or are ready to move on to the second year of the program. There were a few hiccups along the way, but a number of them really blossomed and emerged as leaders. I am so very proud of all their hard work.
It was difficult at times to let them lead the way and make mistakes, but in doing so I believe that I've had a tiny taste of parenthood. (They do call us the "CIT Mom's," after all.)
Five of them are staying to intern, or "cintern," as we say. And two of them have been hired for the upcoming "Gypsy Week" session that begins tomorrow. In short, Gypsy Week means thirty eight 7-9 year olds descending upon CJL. And anything is bound to happen.
In other news, I co-hosted the talent show last night with our program director, Kellly. She rocked a red leotard, and I dressed as a lion. A special shout-out to Liz Hilliker for lending me the lion's mane and tail!
Monday, July 16, 2012
CJL - Opening Song
Every session each unit writes and performs an opening song. I think that ours (Olympus, that is) was quite excellent this time, so here are the sweet-action lyrics. To the tune of "I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore" by REO Speedwagon:
We can’t fight this feeling any longer
Olympus is a place you never go
We started out as campers, now we’re older
Char wishes that the Gypsies would just show
Meredith wants to stay at the barn forever
Snakes give Page a reason to feel fear
You’ll feel real country when you’re with Heather
Nancy gives our life direction, she makes everything so clear
And even in the office, we’re keeping you in sight
Fran’s a candle on a baby boat on a humid summer’s night
Angela’s in the ER with CITs all (through) night
We can’t fight this feeling anymore
We’ve forgotten what the AC is for
Becca brings the canoes into the shore
And sails without an oar, so clever
No, we can’t fight this feeling anymore
We’ve forgotten what cell phones are for
Sarah Kody’s rolling on the floor
Scooter crashes through the door
Amy, we can’t fight this crazy anymore
Regina has been crafting real hard core since she got here
Kelly’s running around in circles all the time
Katie always seems to buddy check you girls
Trish discovers tiny trash that alone you’d never find
And even as Mayne wanders, Sarah Beth keeps her in sight
We’ll keep you entertained on this coming Tuesday night
And August is getting closer much faster than we would like
And we can’t fight this feeling any more
We’ve forgotten what perfume is for
We all smell like the great outdoors
Those darn van checks take forever
No, we can’t fight this feeling anymore
We’ve forgotten what the mirror is for
And if a toilet clogs once more
We will lash the bathroom doors
Campers, we can’t fight the septic tanks no more
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
CJL - Overnight
Our girls (CITs) made it through one of their biggest tests/challenges: the "unsupervised" overnight. We camped out at Sewanee (Univ. of the South), but I cannot say that it went down without a hitch.
Halfway there, my co-director and I realized that we had left the girls' medicine, but luckily, someone was able to bring it to us. And in the midst of unpacking the vans, one of our Coleman lanterns hit the ground, and the hurricane shattered into a million pieces. Then later that night, there was a snake in the girls' sleeping area. And in the midst of moving their things, one girl was stung by a wasp, and another dislocated her shoulder, resulting in a midnight trip to the hospital. Our fearless director drove up and retrieved her and brought her back to camp. And around 3am, a giant tree branch fell about two feet from our tent; had it hit us directly, I believe I would currently be wearing a cast and sporting a number of bruises and cuts. Needless to say, we didn't sleep well.
It was a night for the books! Even with all of the craziness and challenges of being a CIT mom, I am absolutely loving my position. It's still an adjustment from my previous experiences with younger girls. It's difficult to let them make mistakes when I could so easily just do things for them. But maybe that's a bit what it's like to be a parent.
Halfway there, my co-director and I realized that we had left the girls' medicine, but luckily, someone was able to bring it to us. And in the midst of unpacking the vans, one of our Coleman lanterns hit the ground, and the hurricane shattered into a million pieces. Then later that night, there was a snake in the girls' sleeping area. And in the midst of moving their things, one girl was stung by a wasp, and another dislocated her shoulder, resulting in a midnight trip to the hospital. Our fearless director drove up and retrieved her and brought her back to camp. And around 3am, a giant tree branch fell about two feet from our tent; had it hit us directly, I believe I would currently be wearing a cast and sporting a number of bruises and cuts. Needless to say, we didn't sleep well.
It was a night for the books! Even with all of the craziness and challenges of being a CIT mom, I am absolutely loving my position. It's still an adjustment from my previous experiences with younger girls. It's difficult to let them make mistakes when I could so easily just do things for them. But maybe that's a bit what it's like to be a parent.
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