Dear Diary,
Recently I read an article about the deeds of a tattoo artist.
I never thought it would put a tear in my eye.
The reasons for my emotions are two-fold.
#1-- His story is a cool one.
#2 --I want to have a story like that.
His Story
You wouldn't know it by looking at him but tattoo artist Chris Baker, a well-inked, tough-looking dude ya wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, actually has a heart for the less fortunate.
A year ago he had an idea: to cover or remove the branding tattoos of former gang members and sex trafficking victims at no charge. A year since, his idea was so well-received he was invited to attend the US State Department's international meeting on Trafficking Persons. His idea, coming from a talent he already has, and from a heart that reflects his love of God, has grown bigger than anything he thought possible, and has resulted in his founding of a ministry called Ink 180.
My Story
Chris and I share a love for Jesus and a desire to help the less fortunate. But that is where the similarities end. He and I don't share the same talent. It has taken me decades to figure out what mine are, and I still only have general ideas. I feel like a "jack of all trades but master of none."
When I read a success story like this one, my emotions are at play because Chris embodies (tats and all) an ideal I want to live up to:
An everyday gal using her resources and talents she already owns, to share her blessings and somehow provide a better life to others in the name of Jesus.
Don't get me wrong. I am not going around searching for the meaning of life.
I like what I do, and I know it is worthwhile.
And my ministry to my family is foremost and has been full of successes and blessings indeed.
But reading stories like Chris's gives me an itch. A desire that there is more I could or should be doing.
I believe the most golden ideas are simple ones; ones that use the resources and talents already at hand, like Chris did.
It is a special person, indeed, that must move mountains to get the job done. That person I will never become.
Which is why I love reading about the everyday guy or gal who whispers an idea in his basement, only for it to grow into a voluminous shout to the persons who matter.
Idealistically yours,
LJ
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
WWJLT? What Would Jesus Listen To?
Dear Diary,
As I was driving to work this morning, totally disappointed with the talk radio choices I had, I flipped to my preferred FM station; the one I turn to before choosing any other: K-LOVE.
As I started be-bopping to the tune -- an unfamiliar one -- I wondered....
We earth-beings have made music since the drum was invented. We earth-beings have MANY different musical tastes, each refined through our cultural and generational differences.
I think all Christian music is an offering to God, a form of worshipping The Creator. With this in mind, I had to chuckle to myself in the car this morning. I wondered what musical offering God likes the best. What gets his toes tappin' and puts a smile on his face?
(Some would argue hymns sung in German and accompanied by an organ.)
Most would say the best music for God is whatever their own preference is.
So I chuckled in my car this morning 'cuz I imagined Jesus doin' the Saturday Night Live head-bob-thing to this song by Citizen Way. Or sitting behind a drum kit, sticks poised, ready to tap out the beat. I can only imagine he enjoys the songs K-LOVE has to offer just as much as he enjoys the Red Hymnal of a Lutheran church service.
He never tells us in any Gospel what music to listen to. (Blessed are the classical music makers?)
Nor is the Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt listen to Elvis. To Elvis alone, thou shalt listen.
So he must not have a preference.
As long as it is from my heart to his, I am assured "Nothing ever can separate us!"
Not even my taste in music.
Always tasteful,
~LJ
As I was driving to work this morning, totally disappointed with the talk radio choices I had, I flipped to my preferred FM station; the one I turn to before choosing any other: K-LOVE.
As I started be-bopping to the tune -- an unfamiliar one -- I wondered....
Does God have a musical preference?
We earth-beings have made music since the drum was invented. We earth-beings have MANY different musical tastes, each refined through our cultural and generational differences.
I think all Christian music is an offering to God, a form of worshipping The Creator. With this in mind, I had to chuckle to myself in the car this morning. I wondered what musical offering God likes the best. What gets his toes tappin' and puts a smile on his face?
(Some would argue hymns sung in German and accompanied by an organ.)
Most would say the best music for God is whatever their own preference is.
So I chuckled in my car this morning 'cuz I imagined Jesus doin' the Saturday Night Live head-bob-thing to this song by Citizen Way. Or sitting behind a drum kit, sticks poised, ready to tap out the beat. I can only imagine he enjoys the songs K-LOVE has to offer just as much as he enjoys the Red Hymnal of a Lutheran church service.
He never tells us in any Gospel what music to listen to. (Blessed are the classical music makers?)
Nor is the Eleventh Commandment: Thou shalt listen to Elvis. To Elvis alone, thou shalt listen.
So he must not have a preference.
As long as it is from my heart to his, I am assured "Nothing ever can separate us!"
Not even my taste in music.
Always tasteful,
~LJ
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Bring It On!
Dear Diary,
This time of Holy Week has got me thinking. Christians have two celebrations that are biggies:
In my own little warped way, similar to a Would You Rather game, I asked myself if I had to choose between the two, which celebration could I not live without? (If you have trouble with double negatives like I do, I am asking, essentially, which do I like the best?)
Of course I am glad I can celebrate BOTH! But for me and many others, Easter is the grand
poohbah of Christian celebrations. The creme de la creme. The piece de resistance. The observance to end all other observances.
I don't think I am going out on a limb to say that the world probably would choose the other. I'm thinking the jolly, round man wins the popularity contest over the hairy rodent, cute as he is.
("Tommy, the Easter Bunny is watching you!" doesn't have the same ring to it. And "Egg on a Shelf" would just roll off and make a mess.)
True, Christmas is a wonderfully happy time. It is full of awe factor and awww factor (as in "awww, what a cute baby!").
But Easter doesn't just make me happy. In fact, in the days preceding it I can -- and should -- feel sad. But that is what makes the joy so much sweeter!
My joy at Easter is deeper than Christmas joy. It is spiritual. It is physical. I can feel it fluttering inside my chest, quickening my heart rate, bringing tears to my eyes, simultaneously lifting my spirit and the corners of my mouth.
I can feel the perfect LOVE of God, demonstrated on the cross by a Savior who is Resurrected!
My mourning turns to dancing on Easter!
So while I enjoyed Christmas, bring on Easter!
Bring on the JOY!
He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!
Joyfully,
LJ
This time of Holy Week has got me thinking. Christians have two celebrations that are biggies:
Christmas
and
Easter.
In my own little warped way, similar to a Would You Rather game, I asked myself if I had to choose between the two, which celebration could I not live without? (If you have trouble with double negatives like I do, I am asking, essentially, which do I like the best?)
Of course I am glad I can celebrate BOTH! But for me and many others, Easter is the grand
poohbah of Christian celebrations. The creme de la creme. The piece de resistance. The observance to end all other observances.
I don't think I am going out on a limb to say that the world probably would choose the other. I'm thinking the jolly, round man wins the popularity contest over the hairy rodent, cute as he is.
("Tommy, the Easter Bunny is watching you!" doesn't have the same ring to it. And "Egg on a Shelf" would just roll off and make a mess.)
True, Christmas is a wonderfully happy time. It is full of awe factor and awww factor (as in "awww, what a cute baby!").
But Easter doesn't just make me happy. In fact, in the days preceding it I can -- and should -- feel sad. But that is what makes the joy so much sweeter!
My joy at Easter is deeper than Christmas joy. It is spiritual. It is physical. I can feel it fluttering inside my chest, quickening my heart rate, bringing tears to my eyes, simultaneously lifting my spirit and the corners of my mouth.
I can feel the perfect LOVE of God, demonstrated on the cross by a Savior who is Resurrected!
My mourning turns to dancing on Easter!
So while I enjoyed Christmas, bring on Easter!
Bring on the JOY!
He is Risen, He is Risen indeed!
Joyfully,
LJ
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Not a Trivial Matter
Dear Diary,
By now I think it has been established that I like to write about trivial things.
I am no longer confident in my ability to use a pen and get my thoughts properly down onto paper, and get it right the first time. I am talking about writing a good old-fashioned letter (a rare, antiquated activity these days). I need to first type it on my computer. If it is a good long letter, I have no problem printing from the word processor and then just scribble my sig at the bottom.
But there are a few occasions when I want to send a hand-written note. However, I start by typing my thoughts onto paper, tweak it, spell check it, and then hand write it out. (In fact, honestly, this is why I decided to blog my writing instead of journal it. Hand-writing vs. typing these posts? Easy choice.)
Yes, much of my daily life is made up of triviality, like decisions on typing vs. writing. Decisions and situations that are mostly unimportant in the grand scheme of life. In fact I think most of my life is white noise trivia. Stuff that takes up my time, which masks what really matters.
So what does matter in my life? What gives my life its value?
My relationships and my faith.
Matters of the heart and soul are never trivial.
Soon I will be writing a letter. Actually two. To strangers across the sea. To prisoners I don't know. And it is no trivial matter.
I will spend a long time fashioning/typing the words I will eventually put to pen. I will look up scripture and think carefully about my message. These letters will probably be some of the most important letters I have ever written. One will go to a man named Alim, in China, and one to Imran, in Pakistan; both persecuted under a government hostile to Christians.
Here is more information on the persecuted church and prisoners who need encouragement to get through each hour of the day. The Voice of the Martyrs is doing amazing work of supporting the persecuted and their families around the world.
And I am happy to discover they have a blog!
http://www.persecutionblog.com/
These are stories that amaze me. These people are my heroes. They struggle daily for survival, while I harp over trivial matters. It humbles me. It points me to the awesomeness of God.
Now that is no trivial matter.
LJ
By now I think it has been established that I like to write about trivial things.
- Household chores
- Vacations
- Post-Its
- Deer Sightings
- Parakeets
- Sitting around a parking lot
- Etc.
I am no longer confident in my ability to use a pen and get my thoughts properly down onto paper, and get it right the first time. I am talking about writing a good old-fashioned letter (a rare, antiquated activity these days). I need to first type it on my computer. If it is a good long letter, I have no problem printing from the word processor and then just scribble my sig at the bottom.
But there are a few occasions when I want to send a hand-written note. However, I start by typing my thoughts onto paper, tweak it, spell check it, and then hand write it out. (In fact, honestly, this is why I decided to blog my writing instead of journal it. Hand-writing vs. typing these posts? Easy choice.)
Yes, much of my daily life is made up of triviality, like decisions on typing vs. writing. Decisions and situations that are mostly unimportant in the grand scheme of life. In fact I think most of my life is white noise trivia. Stuff that takes up my time, which masks what really matters.
So what does matter in my life? What gives my life its value?
My relationships and my faith.
Matters of the heart and soul are never trivial.
Soon I will be writing a letter. Actually two. To strangers across the sea. To prisoners I don't know. And it is no trivial matter.
I will spend a long time fashioning/typing the words I will eventually put to pen. I will look up scripture and think carefully about my message. These letters will probably be some of the most important letters I have ever written. One will go to a man named Alim, in China, and one to Imran, in Pakistan; both persecuted under a government hostile to Christians.
Here is more information on the persecuted church and prisoners who need encouragement to get through each hour of the day. The Voice of the Martyrs is doing amazing work of supporting the persecuted and their families around the world.
And I am happy to discover they have a blog!
http://www.persecutionblog.com/
These are stories that amaze me. These people are my heroes. They struggle daily for survival, while I harp over trivial matters. It humbles me. It points me to the awesomeness of God.
Now that is no trivial matter.
LJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)