This morning I woke up to another beautiful crisp fall day. After enjoying some coffee with the hubby, he went off to work and I went to church at The River. This week was part two of the Occupy Wall Street series, and boy was it powerful. I feel like God has really been working in my life this year, but especially in the past several weeks. I've received prayer from the prayer team at church for three weeks now, and I'm seeing the power of prayer in ways I've never seen or experienced before. God has been speaking to me through friends, family and the church about success... well, my definition of success that is. I'm working on redefining my definition of success and failure as well as creating a new narrative for myself.
The two most important takeaways from today's talk:
1) Gratitude Examine and Remember Prayer
2) Are your dreams wrapped up in the Christian narrative of faith and joy in all things, or in the American dream?
Gratitude Examine and Remember Prayer are spiritual exercises intended to strengthen our spiritual muscles. Gratitude Examine requires that you lift yourself up to God and thank him for making you the way you are. After all, God did make you... when we beat up on ourselves and give in to the negative self narratives that attack our core, we fail to see the wonderful qualities about ourselves that God created. While acting out the Gratitude Examine, ask God to break your narrative and help you see yourself the way God sees you. This really spoke to me, because I fault myself constantly, and I certainly do not appreciate the positive things about myself (created by God).
Whether or not your dreams are tied up in the American dream or faith goes back to the idea of not aiming at success. Today, Pastor Park said to resist the advertising culture... easier said than done, but just like the dominating economic system and political narrative in our country is broken, so too is our personal narrative. Be joyous even during hard times, this is true success. Shouldn't our success be primarily spiritual... getting closer to God... seeking only him. "They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy." --2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV)
So as I reflect on this throughout the week ahead, I will lift myself up daily and ask God to break my narrative, help me see myself the way he does... and I will thank him for making me me. I will not make this about what I'm lacking, this will be solely to thank God. I'm curious to see if I do this daily, if my mood will improve as well. Stay tuned and I'll update you next weekend.
As for the Remember Prayer, lift those that you love and appreciate up to God... just remember them and thank God for them.
Now I plan to spend the rest of the day updating resumes, finishing my grad school essay and cleaning. Hopefully I'm actually productive.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
One more piece of the puzzle...
If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me. "We are intimately linked in this harvest work. Anyone who accepts what you do, accepts me, the One who sent you. Anyone who accepts what I do accepts what I do accepts my father, who sent me. Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger. Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help. This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. Its best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing."
--Matthew 10:30-42 (The Message)
"Don't aim at success--the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you're going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the byproduct of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you live to see that in the long run--in the long run, I say!--success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think of it."
--Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
I've been so consumed with "finding myself" that I sometimes forget to "lose myself" in God. A few weeks ago I felt God speaking to me and telling me that I needed to pursue a master's in school counseling and help young adults with the challenges of adolescents. As is common with me, I became very eager and excited, but as the weeks went on, I became confused. I questioned whether or not this was coming from God or if this was just me trying to do something that wouldn't require jumping through a bunch of hurdles. I'm still trying to turn my ear to God and really hear him. He's placed this desire in my heart for a reason. Yesterday, the pastor read the above scripture and I immediately began linking it to the quote in Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning that had opened my eyes to the flaws in my ambition to pursue an MBA and the almighty dollar. Read both passages carefully and you will see how alike they truly are. I'm trying to get better at recognizing God at work in my life, and I certainly believe that this is testament that he is.
Lord, please hear my prayer. I'm listening, I'm here, send me and I will go. Please send me signs that I've chosen to follow your will for my life. Send me down a path that allows me to do your work Lord. Lord, I lift up the admissions team at St. John's to you, I lift myself up, I lift those that I've been interviewing up, please speak louder to me. Thank you for working in my life.
In Jesus name,
Amen
--Matthew 10:30-42 (The Message)
"Don't aim at success--the more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you're going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the byproduct of one's surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you live to see that in the long run--in the long run, I say!--success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think of it."
--Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
I've been so consumed with "finding myself" that I sometimes forget to "lose myself" in God. A few weeks ago I felt God speaking to me and telling me that I needed to pursue a master's in school counseling and help young adults with the challenges of adolescents. As is common with me, I became very eager and excited, but as the weeks went on, I became confused. I questioned whether or not this was coming from God or if this was just me trying to do something that wouldn't require jumping through a bunch of hurdles. I'm still trying to turn my ear to God and really hear him. He's placed this desire in my heart for a reason. Yesterday, the pastor read the above scripture and I immediately began linking it to the quote in Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning that had opened my eyes to the flaws in my ambition to pursue an MBA and the almighty dollar. Read both passages carefully and you will see how alike they truly are. I'm trying to get better at recognizing God at work in my life, and I certainly believe that this is testament that he is.
Lord, please hear my prayer. I'm listening, I'm here, send me and I will go. Please send me signs that I've chosen to follow your will for my life. Send me down a path that allows me to do your work Lord. Lord, I lift up the admissions team at St. John's to you, I lift myself up, I lift those that I've been interviewing up, please speak louder to me. Thank you for working in my life.
In Jesus name,
Amen
The River's Stance on Occupy Wall Street
James 1:20 (NASB)
The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Yesterday my church addressed the issues facing our country, specifically our economy and Occupy Wall Street, from a biblical perspective. He pointed out that the dominating narrative of consumerism, wealth, and materialism is not working. This, he said, is what Occupy Wall Street's protesters are pointing out. While it is great to point out the failing narrative, an even greater challenge is to acknowledge what God is calling us to do. LOVE Wall Street, he said. This may seem controversial, but lift them up in prayer. Ask God to help us see their good qualities and to help us and them fix the broken narrative. Interesting and controversial thought, huh?
The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
Yesterday my church addressed the issues facing our country, specifically our economy and Occupy Wall Street, from a biblical perspective. He pointed out that the dominating narrative of consumerism, wealth, and materialism is not working. This, he said, is what Occupy Wall Street's protesters are pointing out. While it is great to point out the failing narrative, an even greater challenge is to acknowledge what God is calling us to do. LOVE Wall Street, he said. This may seem controversial, but lift them up in prayer. Ask God to help us see their good qualities and to help us and them fix the broken narrative. Interesting and controversial thought, huh?
Friday, October 14, 2011
Listening
Father, I'm listening and hoping to hear you speak to me. The world is loud, and there are many distractions. Please quite my surroundings so that I can here you today Lord. Guide my steps in the direction you have planned for my life. Help me to do what serves you God.
Amen
Amen
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Fall is here...
Another fall season has embraced New Yorkers. The leaves are starting to change, and the weather is bringing a mix of beautiful sunny days and rain. This fall season kind of crept up on me. The summer was such a whirlwind of fun, traveling and connecting with friends old and new. Fall is a reminder that winter is near, but there is still time to get out there and enjoy all that this beautiful city has to offer.
Tonight I'm headed to an exciting opening. Two years ago I wrote about photographer Bruce Davidson while studying at NYU. I'm a huge fan of his photography and I'm looking forward to seeing his famous Subway Series on display. Join me if you don't have plans:
Bruce Davidson at Aperture Gallery - 547 West 27th Street, 4th floor @ 6pm
http://www.aperture.org/exposures/?p=12751
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
It’s Never too Late
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“...Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”
(Hebrews 6:12, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Sometimes, it’s easy to look at your circumstances in the natural and think, “I’ve missed my opportunity. I’m too old. It’s too late. I’ve messed up too much.” But with God, there’s always another opportunity. He created you on purpose and for a purpose. He’s the one who placed those dreams and desires on the inside of you. He hasn’t given up on those dreams, and you shouldn’t either! It’s never too late for God, which means it’s never too late for you!
I don’t know about you, but I have never heard of a single story, not in the Bible nor in our time, where God gave someone a dream and fulfilled it on the same day. No, our lives are designed with seasons and processes to build our faith and prepare us for the next step. It takes faith, it takes obedience, and it takes patience to see God’s promises come to pass.
Today, no matter where you are in your journey of faith, just focus on moving forward. God hasn’t given up on you! Trust that He has you in the right place at the right time. Trust that He is working all things together for your good. Trust that new doors are opening. Choose faith and patience, and you will inherit His promises because it’s never too late for you to embrace the good things God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for loving me. Thank You for renewing the fire in me. I trust that You are ordering my steps and making a way where there seems to be no way. Keep me close to You always and reveal the good plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“...Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised”
(Hebrews 6:12, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria
Sometimes, it’s easy to look at your circumstances in the natural and think, “I’ve missed my opportunity. I’m too old. It’s too late. I’ve messed up too much.” But with God, there’s always another opportunity. He created you on purpose and for a purpose. He’s the one who placed those dreams and desires on the inside of you. He hasn’t given up on those dreams, and you shouldn’t either! It’s never too late for God, which means it’s never too late for you!
I don’t know about you, but I have never heard of a single story, not in the Bible nor in our time, where God gave someone a dream and fulfilled it on the same day. No, our lives are designed with seasons and processes to build our faith and prepare us for the next step. It takes faith, it takes obedience, and it takes patience to see God’s promises come to pass.
Today, no matter where you are in your journey of faith, just focus on moving forward. God hasn’t given up on you! Trust that He has you in the right place at the right time. Trust that He is working all things together for your good. Trust that new doors are opening. Choose faith and patience, and you will inherit His promises because it’s never too late for you to embrace the good things God has in store for you!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for loving me. Thank You for renewing the fire in me. I trust that You are ordering my steps and making a way where there seems to be no way. Keep me close to You always and reveal the good plan You have for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Joel & Victoria Osteen
Monday, October 10, 2011
Hello Lord, it's me your child
I have a few things on my mind
Right now I'm faced with big decisions
And I'm wondering if you have a minute, cuz
Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up
I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.
I don't doubt your sovereignty
I doubt my own ability to
Hear what you're saying
And to do the right thing
And I desperately want to do the right thing
But right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up
I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.
And somewhere in the back of my mind
I think you are telling me to wait
And though patience has never been mine
Lord, I will wait to hear from you
Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you
Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up
I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I think you're whispering
--Sara Groves
I have a few things on my mind
Right now I'm faced with big decisions
And I'm wondering if you have a minute, cuz
Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up
I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.
I don't doubt your sovereignty
I doubt my own ability to
Hear what you're saying
And to do the right thing
And I desperately want to do the right thing
But right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up
I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I just can't hear you.
And somewhere in the back of my mind
I think you are telling me to wait
And though patience has never been mine
Lord, I will wait to hear from you
Oh Lord, I'm waiting on you
Right now I don't hear so well
And I was wondering if you could speak up
I know that you tore the veil
So I could sit with you in person
And hear what you're saying but
Right now, I think you're whispering
--Sara Groves
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Confiding in the Lord rather than Self-will
James 4:13 - 4:15
Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit; Whereas you do not know the matter of tomorrow, what your life will be; for you are a vapor, which appears for a little while and then disappears. Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will both live and do this or that.
This morning I woke up and decided to open my bible for the first time in weeks. I'm ashamed to admit that, but it is the truth. Priorities get messed up and out of order which causes our spirits to suffer. Right now I'm struggling with choosing the right career path and feeling confident in that choice. I know that God has a plan for me, but I often question whether or not I will ever discover it. But then it dawned on me. Maybe I'm already living his plan, living in his will. I need to commit to getting into his word every day and asking God to take me where he wants me to go each day.
Prayer for today...
Lord Jesus, please take my thoughts and dreams and weave them together according to your plan. Force the devil to flee from me and stop attacking me with negative self-beliefs. Give me peace and joy in knowing that whatever each day brings is according to your will.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into this or that city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit; Whereas you do not know the matter of tomorrow, what your life will be; for you are a vapor, which appears for a little while and then disappears. Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will both live and do this or that.
This morning I woke up and decided to open my bible for the first time in weeks. I'm ashamed to admit that, but it is the truth. Priorities get messed up and out of order which causes our spirits to suffer. Right now I'm struggling with choosing the right career path and feeling confident in that choice. I know that God has a plan for me, but I often question whether or not I will ever discover it. But then it dawned on me. Maybe I'm already living his plan, living in his will. I need to commit to getting into his word every day and asking God to take me where he wants me to go each day.
Prayer for today...
Lord Jesus, please take my thoughts and dreams and weave them together according to your plan. Force the devil to flee from me and stop attacking me with negative self-beliefs. Give me peace and joy in knowing that whatever each day brings is according to your will.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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