So here's my question...do people not read or do they do things like this on purpose?

The Soundtrack of your Life

here's another one of those "story of your life" things that I stole. It's kinda fun to play with, especially for someone like me who's life really does seem to have it's own soundtrack!

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend your cool...


Opening Credits: Twilight, Vanessa Carlton
Waking Up: Open Skies, David Crowder
First Day of School: Chatahoochee, Alan Jackson
Falling in Love: Take What's Mine, Baumer
Fight Song: The Wishes Pile Up, Jim Bryson
Breaking Up: Absurd, Fluke
Prom: You Still Believe in Me, The Beach Boys
Life: Electrified and Ripe, Steve Durand
Mental Breakdown: Lovely, Shawn McDonald
Driving: Surfin', The Beach Boys
Flashback: 21st Century, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Getting Back Together: Life Is, Sarah Kelly
Wedding: 301 Hoist the Colours, The Pirates of the Carribean, At World's End
Birth of a Child: A Message, Coldplay
Final Battle: You'll Never Find Another Love, Michael Buble
Death Scene: Young at Heart, joss Stone
Funeral Song: The Legend Spreads, James Horner (Braveheart)
End Credits: If this Isn't Love, Paul Brandt

It's kindof funny how it works...now to write the screenplay...

Be Still and Know...

I always hear that summer is this relaxing time. Vacations. Leisurely strolls in the park or visits on a patio. Days on the beach. This is the time that life is supposed to slow down, or so I've heard. It sure doesn't seem that way, though. I keep getting asked when I get my holiday over the summer, like it's a natural assumption to make, and realize, that for me, this is not reality.

I just scanned through some of my favorite blogs and it seems that all of us have taken a sort of siesta break from our blogging ways. My confession is that all my spare computer time has been absorbed in learning all the intricasies of my new baby macbook. Man, I love being a mac owner. That aside, computer time, or any rest time, for that matter, just has not been nearly as frequent as I'd like. Not that blogging is the answer by any means, but perhaps I'm using it as an indicator. It seems like far too many of us are moving at high speed with a multitude of things fighting for top priority.

I need rest.

How do we let it happen: letting busyness take over, I mean?

Normally, I'm at least pretty protective of my Monday nights but lately it just seems like there's more and more going on until I feel like I'm careening through the journey of life, just trying to stay on the road. It's all worthy stuff but there's just too much. This journey feels like travelling on Deerfoot in rush hour...not the stopped, not moving anywhere kind but the chaotic, every man for himself kind, traffic weaving in and out, sudden breaking and non-existant turning signals. I know I've hit that point when sleep is difficult and I lay in bed either reviewing the past events or charting out the hours and days to come.

I need to slow down.

There's a couple of us at work that have been "working" to make this a priority. We've recently been blessed with the completion of the prayer garden at the College (I'll try to post pics this afternoon). It has been a complete paradise for me - especially when the sun is shining - and there's moments in which I'm convinced I've just got a glimpse of what Eden was intended to be...right here in Calgary. It seems silly, really, that that's all it takes but it's so important! The context is important! Anyway, we've been taking 10-15 minutes of our lunch break to pray together and share scripture.

See, I'm learning that there's two kinds of stillness; one that stills the body, a physical stop or change or pace. That type of stillness, however, does not necessarily require, cause or allow a stillness of the mind, the other kind of stillness, the one, I think, that's more important. So that's what we're trying to do, both in community and on our own.

Yesterday, it hit home again that this is why we do this: to be still and know that He is God and I am not. Here's just a few of the Scriptures we read that were great reminders...

Psalm 23:2
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.

Matthew 14:23
After he had dismissed them, he went on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed

Jesus took time. He didn't try to do it all at once or without being connected to His Father.

I've been thinking alot about who I want to be and what I want my life to look like. The overarching picture for me is that I want to be like Jesus and that means being connected to the vine. John 15 has become an incredible picture. Stay connected to the vine. Remain in me. Abide...which to me naturally brings a sense of rest. It's only in that condition of heart, mind, and body that I will ever bear fruit...or figure out the details of life.

I'm working on it. This morning on the way into work, I stopped at the lilac bush outside the College doors and breathed deeply of the beautiful frangrance, filling my lungs and somehow, my soul, saying a prayer of thanks and repentance as I approached my day. It was a small gesture but a necessary reconditioning of myself to Him.

He is God and I am not.

Surrender.

Stop.

Listen.

Wait.

Follow.

If I'm in too much of a hurry am I really following? Have I truly put the person of Christ ahead of me on the journey? Am I keeping my focus on him as I'm careening out of control?


Slow down in both mind and body.

God is God and I am not.

While the busyness of our lives distracts us, somehow the stillness reminds me of that simple truth.

Current Read

Inkspell, Corneilia Funke

I know I said Harry Potter is next but I got a little distracted reading borrowed ones first so I can give them back. Makes sense, right?

I love international signs. Sometimes you just gotta laugh - I guess that's the funny thing about the English language. More to enjoy here.

Current Read

Amsterdam, Ian McEwan

Life is a Verb...

Verb…tells the subjects actions, events or state of being!

Enjoying...sunshine!
Listening...to everything and anything I can get my hands on
Reading....Amsterdam (Ian McEwan) and then on to Harry Potter (#4,5,6)!
Watching... tortoise videos on YouTube (thanks, Jeri!) and less TV now that it's warm outside
Thinking...about who I am (passion) and why God put me here in this time and place (purpose)Missing... my students, away for their summer break, and the life they bring!
Loving...dance lessons!
Playing...softball
Remembering…that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength…alone I’m a wimp!
Needing…to clean the house!
Anticipating...the arrival of my new macbook!
Eating...cherries!
Drinking...lotsa coffee...my comfort "food"
Disliking...the uncertainties of life
Celebrating...that there is reason for hope
Learning…to play the guitar…thanks Rob!
Counting...sheep…tonight...hopefully
Trying...to be more grateful for the good things God has given – the big and the little.


I stole this from Harmony's blog (thanks Harm!) 'cause I felt like it would make a good summary of life, not to mention that it would force me to think of some of the good things going on and I like to do that! I added a few of my own verbs though.

Current Read

The Dip, Seth Godin

Thanks Dayna!

Why do we do what we do?

I had an interesting thought/analogy about the life last night. Why do we do the things that we do? I think this is especially true about organizations but can apply to individuals. Do what we do because that's what we've always done, our of habit or duty, or is it about passionately pursuing purpose? About heart?

It's like in my first aid training. You find an unconscious, not breathing victim and your perform CPR, right? What are you doing? You're maintaining the mechanics of it. You're pushing the blood around and just basically keeping the body alive – functioning but not really alive. In fact, they're clinically dead. Not a bright thought before going to bed but it's true. It's not likely you're going to revive the person – 2% is the recent stat I was given on the percentage of people revived by CPR. That's why they bring out the little paddles and shock the person. There's an electrical component to the heart. It needs a shock to the system to reorient it and revive it…to get it running properly and to bring new life (Did I get that right, Tash?)

I got thinking about how often we get into just keeping things alive by maintaining the status quo or the mechanics, merely pumping the blood around doing what's always been done and keeping things running but not really alive.

We need a shock to the system to be revived, just like the heart does.

Will someone bring out the paddles?

Clear!

Ever Feel Like This?

I stole this from Sheryl's blog...the two of us have talked a lot about what our jobs require and what we put into it, how it can become all encompassing and, even though it does feel like "life" sometimes, that there is life outside of recruiting...really...

Current Read

"What wrecks the heart of someone who loves God is often the very thing God wants to use to fire them up to do something that, under normal circumstances, they would never attempt to do." pg 25

Holy Discontent, Bill Hybels

'Bout Me

You Are Big Bird

Talented, smart, and friendly... you're also one of the sanest people around. You are usually feeling: Happy. From riding a unicycle to writing poetry, you have plenty of hobbies to keep you busy. You are famous for: Being a friend to everyone. Even the grumpiest person gets along with you. How you life your life: Joyfully. "Super. Duper. Flooper."

The Sesame Street Personality Quiz

You are a Rocker Girl!

If you don't have musical talent, you've got a talent for picking out great CD's. Music rules your life - and you've got the best MP3 collection of anyone you know. Many guys find you intimidating, but a select few think you're the catch of a lifetime. Start hanging out in more used record stores, and you'll find love with a fellow rocker!

What Kind of Girl Are You?

Now you see it...

The Part of You That No One Sees

You are lively, dramatic, and flamboyant. You have an outrageous personality... And you secretly resent anyone who makes you tone it down. Underneath it all, you are driven by your need for attention and acceptance. You need to feel special at all times. You are secretly jealous and occasionally insecure.

What's the Part of You That No One Sees?

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

Your Animal Personality

Your Power Animal: Eagle Animal You Were in a Past Life: Whale You are active, a challenger, and optimistic. Hard-working, you are always working towards a set goal.

The Animal Personality Test

Your Scholastic Strength Is Deep Thinking

You aren't afraid to delve head first into a difficult subject, with mastery as your goal. You are talented at adapting, motivating others, managing resources, and analyzing risk. You should major in: Philosophy Music Theology Art History Foreign language

What Should You Major In?

Your Theme Song is Back in Black by AC/DC

"Back in black, I hit the sack, I've been too long, I'm glad to be back" Things sometimes get really crazy for you, and sometimes you have to get away from all the chaos. But each time you stage your comeback, it's even better than the last!

What's Your Theme Song?

...yah, okay, this is what happens when i'm just not ready to sleep...