Thursday, August 28, 2008

from Obama's speech...

"We may not agree on abortion, but surely we can agree on reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies in this country. The reality of gun ownership may be different for hunters in rural Ohio than for those plagued by gang-violence in Cleveland, but don’t tell me we can’t uphold the Second Amendment while keeping AK-47s out of the hands of criminals. I know there are differences on same-sex marriage, but surely we can agree that our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters deserve to visit the person they love in the hospital and to live lives free of discrimination. Passions fly on immigration, but I don’t know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child or an employer undercuts American wages by hiring illegal workers. This too is part of America’s promise - the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort.

I know there are those who dismiss such beliefs as happy talk. They claim that our insistence on something larger, something firmer and more honest in our public life is just a Trojan Horse for higher taxes and the abandonment of traditional values. "

...But it doesn't have to be. I still really like the way this guy talks. And a classical allusion to boot!

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Confessions

I don't usually go too personal in my blogs, but I'm stepping out today. I really feel like God has been waving some flags around me the past six months or so, waiting for me to take notice. Some flags have been tiny and recent. But they're adding up to SOMETHING...

1) Around the vicinity of the big 4-0 I realized I wanted to be more authentic and bold in my life, more compassionate, impulsive, loving, expressive. Stop editing myself when I truly suspect the Spirit is moving.

2) In my teaching, I've felt a need to get away from my compulsion to map everything out just-so. The word coming to mind often is "organic." I've also felt a need to bring missions into the spotlight in my world lit class. These two themes, with roots in the 07-08 school year, have been compounding even in the last 24 hours.

3) I really feel a desperate need to see God's hand more clearly and concretely. I've been in several situations lately where I've heard people speak with great faith about God "moving" - and the thing is, deep in my heart I totally believe them, but my brain nags at me - Are we just putting God's name on top of good fortune, coincidence, wishful thinking? I really want to SEE. Even in the last 24 hours, I've encountered two stories of miraculous revelations and confirmations of God's will in the mission field. Why don't I see those from my house?

4) I get suspicious when people say that God spoke to them. But back in December, I remember very clearly a moment when I thought God said, "I've been girding you up for this." Now, I don't really want to tell that whole story, but I do keep wondering...

So, is there a theme going on here or what? Comments and prayers welcome.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Prayer for the Day

Today Harper's Sunday School lesson was about prayer. She came home with a little prayer-hands paper on which she had written her prayer requests. Here they are, in the order she wrote them:

Mom
Me
Dad
Peace and goodwill
Fashion
Cancer
Papa

OK, I'm somewhat pleased that I came first. The other items, well...

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Summer Dwindles

Lazy hazy days... passing, passing, passing! I'm feeling a little bittersweet about it. In a week and half, it's back to teacher in-service, and after Labor Day, back to school for the little one and me. It will be a busy year for me, as I kick off my pursuit of National Board certification. I do not care at this time to imagine the work load that will entail. Harper will be in second grade, tap dancing, playing soccer, and growing up some more. Wish that could slow down a bit. We've been enjoying our newly tiled back porch, kicking back for a little reading and eating on a regular basis. Ahhh... about six more weekdays of that left. Today, we discovered a new waterfront park that we've had access to ever since buying our house six years ago, but we'd just never made our way down there to seek it out. I wonder how many picnics we can pack in before ye olde school bell rings?