Too Old, Too Young or Just Right

As I wrote the title for this post, I was thinking of Goldilocks and the three bears. I don't know why that's in my mind right now but it is...weird. This post wasn't supposed to be about bears at all. Bring it together, Stace. Stay on topic. Phew.

Okay, here goes. I'm back in the office again. It's been pretty tough to focus on work stuff but the conversations with students make it all worth while. I'm sure I've said it before but I love my students! They're amazing.

One recent conversation brought up a question that I don't have an answer for so I thought I would throw it out to any who might actually read my ramblings. Truthfully, as a single girl, it's probably good information for me too so here goes:

In dating/marriage relationships, what is an acceptable age difference between the partners? What is too much older? Too much younger?

I have no idea how to advise anyone in this area. What is "just right?"

A Conversation

I love msn. It keeps me connected with good friends and good conversation from the comfort of my cozy couch with my soft blanket, warm coffee and, honestly, my jammies. Now, normally, I wouldn't share said conversations but this one just happened recently and captures a lot of what I've been thinking about and praying about lately. My conversation partner shall be referred to as "friend" since I haven't asked this friend if I can actually post their side of the conversation but it just wouldn't be the same without it.

Perhaps this could get a gridblog or something going. I know there's a lot of questions in here but would love to have others join in the conversations...that's why I'm posting it...just in case explaination was required...anyway here goes:

stacey says:i think that's the thing...we journey together and learn from each other
stacey says:the point isn't how long you've been on the journey but where you are on the journey
friend says:Amen
stacey says:we look at people in ahead of us to learn from them
stacey says:we look to people behind to bring them along
stacey says:"knowing" isn't enough...that alone doesn't bring you any further in the journey

friend says:I am alright....I am just working through it....
stacey says:God gave us our stories and has left his fingerprints all over us b/c of them
friend says:Working through what it is He wants from me....
friend says:that is the truth
stacey says:so true
friend says:My passion is for the world....and how is Christ being reflected in my life...and in turn...
friend says:How can I bring His message to the darkness...to the hurting world....
stacey says:exactly
stacey says:you have a heart for the world in a different way than i do
friend says:It is only through these challenges that we grow....if we are willing to open ourselves and let God do His work
stacey says:b/c of my life in the church, i'm hurt by the damage we've done to the kingdom and passionate to help foster a new attitude in the church that is kingdom focused, not self focused, and yet i love the church enough to know that i can't give up on it
stacey says:my heart is for discipleship and really figuring out what this christian life is all about
friend says:that is amazing....living the life that plants teh seed of the kingdom...
stacey says:so true!
stacey says:it's funny how in many ways, both of us come to the same question
stacey says:just from different ways
friend says:we need those people who will twist the light bulbs and make them brighter...so then we can go out into the darkness
stacey says:i like the way you put that!
friend says:Totally....
friend says:Kingdom living and what does it mean to do church.....
stacey says:exactly
friend says:..am I willing to remain in my safe place or go out and take a risk for God
stacey says:what does it mean to be a christian today?
stacey says:what does that look like?
friend says:That is the key question....
stacey says:exactly
stacey says:steve mcmillan talks about how our christian faith isn't about going up to heaven but bringing heaven here
stacey says:i love that
stacey says:real kingdom living
friend says:If we are created in the image of God....do I develp authentic relationships because we are all cherished....
friend says:Do i roll my eyes in an air of superiority....how do my actions reflect what is at the core of me....
stacey says:b/c heaven is true and a reality but what difference does that make for today?stacey says:how does the gospel change things now?
friend says:Exactly...i am reading Leslie Newbigin....Gospel in a pluralistic world...or whatever
stacey says:oh ya
friend says:It is great that you believe Jesus is the Son of God....But so what....
friend says:What does that look like as we do life....as we walk out our faith....
stacey says:that's the question
friend says:It was convicting and gripping and transforming....as God will do if you are willing....
friend says:Yeah...I think that it goes so far beyond...this is what I believe.....
friend says:I am more interested in what does that look like
stacey says:exactly
friend says:It is fun....which is why I have so many deep conversations with [another friend left anonymous]....we are the epistle of Peter crowd....
friend says:He feels those books were written for people like us....who identify with the lost world....who know the darkness and have a passion to bring life and hope and joy and passion....
stacey says:there's actually a pretty strong movement going on in christian circles that are calling people thinking this way "revolutionaries"
stacey says:that's such a great way to put it!
friend says:I love it....Wycliffe's tag line is abandoned devotion to serving Jesus
stacey says:oohhh i like it
friend says:Abandoned devotion...revolutionary....looks like a theme running through here
stacey says:so true!
friend says:I love it....what are you willing to give up for the sake of....
stacey says:for the sake of the kingdom
friend says:amen....

Upcoming Release: Tortilla Heaven

From Relevant Magazine...

Here's the trailer for the new movie Tortilla Heaven, which is getting a lot of buzz for its take on some biblical and cultural themes. The movie is about the madness that breaks out in a small town after the face of Jesus appears on a tortilla. Though the plot sounds irreverent, there looks to be plenty of over-the-top, but still relatable.

Now I'm not saying that I recommend it since I haven't seen it yet but I am curious. I'm especially intrigued to see how Hollywood handles this and aware, again, of the spiritual curiosity of the world we live in.

How do we, as the church, respond well?

Quote

“The church is not here to meet our needs. We are the church here to meet the needs of the world.”- Erwin McManus

Thanks, Erwin. That's what I've been realizing too.

Current Read

Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become A Missionary in Your Community, Ed Stetzer & David Putman

Current Read

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark Haddon

Affirmations of a Revolutionary

I've been reading Revolution by George Barna. It's a study of what's happening in Kingdom-culture in North America as a growing group of Christians, who Barna calls Revolutionaries, move beyond traditional North American Christianity, in many cases, beyond the traditional church, as they pursue God, faith and obedience.

I love this summary of the revolutionary affirmations as, in many ways, this resonates with who I am, or at least who I want to be, and the current struggle I find myself in.

I am a Revolutionary in the service of God Almighty. My life is not my own; I exist as a free person but have voluntarily become a slave to God. My role on earth is to live as a Revolutionary, comitted to love, holiness, and advancing God's Kingdom. My life is not about me and my natural desires; it is all about knowing, loving, and serving God with all my heart, mind, strength, and soul. Therefore, I acknowledge the following:

>I am a sinner; broken by my disobedience but restored by Jesus Christ in order to participate in good works that please God. I am not perfect; but Jesus Christ makes me righteous in God's eyes, and the Holy Spirit leads me toward greater holiness.
>God created me for His puposes. My desire as a Revolutionary is to fulfill those ends, and those ends alone. When I get out of bed each day, I do so for one purpose: to love, obey, and serve God and His people.
>Every breath I take is a declaration of war against Satan and a commitment to opposing him.
>God does not need me to fight His fight, but He invites me to allow Him to fight through me. It is my privilege to serve Him in that manner. I anticipate and will gladly endure various hardships as I serve God; for this is the price of participation in winning the spiritual war.
>I do not need to save the world; Jesus Christ has already done that. I cannot transform the world, but I can allow God to use me to transform some part of it.
>My commitment to the Revolution of faith is sealed by my complete surrener to God's ways and His will. I will gratefully do what He asks of me simply because He loves me enough to ask. I gain my security, success, and significance through my surrender to Him.
>I am not called to attend or join a church. I am called to be the Church.
>Worship is not an event I attend or a process I observe; it is the lifestyle I lead.
>I do not give away 10 percent of my resources. I surrender 100 percent.
>God has given me natural abilities and supernatural abilities, all intended to advance His Kingdom. I will deploy those abilities for that purpose.
>There is strength in relationships; I am bound at a heart and soul level to other Revolutionaries, adn I will bless believers whenever I have the chance.
>To achieve vicotry in the spiritual war in which we are immersed, there is nothing I must accomplish; I must simply follow Christ with everything I have.
>There is no greater calling than to know and serve God.
>The world is desperately seeking meaning and purpose. I will respond to that need with the Good News and meaningful servidce.
>Absolute moral and spiritual truth exists, is knowable, and is intended for my life; it is accessible through the Bible.
>I want nothing more than to hear God say to me, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."

Thank You, Lord God, for loving me, for saving me, for refining me, for blessing me, and for including me in the work of Your Kingdom. My life is Yours to use as You please. I love You.

George Barna, Revolution, pg 128-130.

Fun Finds at the Farmers' market

Every time I go to the Farmer's Market, I come home having found some new treasure or tasty treat - not that I buy them, necessarily, but I feel like I have uncovered some new mystery!

Today's treat is a new fruit - Kiwi Berries. They're about the size of a steroid enhanced grapes and grow on vines like grapes. Inside they look and have the texture of a kiwi. The thing is, and maybe it's just because they're a novelty today, is that they taste like both but better! They're so good! You just pop the whole thing in your mouth and enjoy. Don't worry, they're not fuzzy like a kiwi.

Apparently they only have a two week season so you have to move fast if you want to taste them.

And if you're wondering, yes, this is what I do with time off...and I love it!

Current Read

Revolution, George Barna

Through the speakers

..and on my ipod!

Catch and Release (Motion Picture Soundtrack)

It's sooooo good! I loved it watching the movie and I love it listening to it now!

Tracks include:

1. Razor -Foo Fighters
2. My Drug Buddy- The Lemonheads
3. A Nest For Two- Blinker The Star
4. Mornings Eleven - The Magic Numbers
5. Pills - Gary Jules
6. Electrified And Ripe -Steve Durand
7. The Winding Staircase -New Radiant Storm King
8. Sky Signal -Audible
9. Leaving The Ground- Peter Maclaggan
10. What If You -Joshua Radin
11. These 3 Sins- Gomez
12. Resistance- Alaska!
13. Let The Bad Times Roll- Paul Westerberg
14. Turning Blue - The Swallows
15. What I Done- Andrew Rodriguez
16. Soul Meets Body -Death Cab For Cutie
17. There Goes The Fear- The Doves

John Mayer

It was announced this past Monday that John Mayer is going to come to Calgary on this tour. The Edmonton stop was announced weeks ago and I was willing to make the trip for it but this is even better. Calgary. Saddledome. Sunday, April 29. 7pm.

Anyone want to go?

And I'm serious about this...none of this, "sure I live in Manitoba but would love to go"...I appreciate the thought but I'm actually looking for people that WILL go with me :)

Emerging from Emerge

I've decided that there are 5 days that are the highlights of my year at work; 5 days in which I'm truly in my element. The first two are registration days in September and January. They're days that are full, a mixture of event planning/coordination and advising as students arrive and allow me a chance to see the fruits of my work. They're days where I truly feel like I have a purpose at the college.

The other 3 days form the weekend of Emerge, our open house weekend at ABC. I don't even know what it is but I feel like I'm in my element. Truthfully, the first year that I did it I was stressed to the max but now that I've figured things out a bit, I love the weekend. Even the week leading up to it, as full as it is, is great! Days go by fast - there's definitely no looking for things to do! I'm able to spend time with the students as we work together to host the weekend. Have I mentioned recently that I love my students?! Man, they're amazing!!! I get to meet and greet new friends and old as they come from all across Western Canada to join us. There's the planning and hosting of the event that I love. I guess I'm all about being in the middle of the action! Have I mentioned that I get to spend concentrated time with the students? Seriously, I love that part. I come out of the weekend completely exhausted and ready for a week of naps but somehow refreshed at the same time. There's something to be said for working out of a place of your strengths.

I was chatting with one of my students Sunday afternoon and he affirmed what I was feeling saying that he could tell that I was completely in my element for the weekend. He 'politely suggested' that I should find a job where I can be in that sort of position more than once a year. He went on to say that it's too bad that my role at the college is not more mentoring focused as he sees that as my place of strength and ability. He's right too - that's the part of my job, more than anything, that I love.

Now, back to the weekend. We had over 100 visitors, both youth leaders and students. We fed well over 150 people. Friday Night Live, our very own Saturday Night Live-esque event, was fabulous. Hunter continued to scare the bejeebers out of me all weekend. Keith Shields and Storm Moore presented fabulous messages and the music team did a fabulous job in leading us to worship through song. The amazing race was a hit although a lot of wet kids and a lingering order of smelly feet filled the building immediately following. Seriously, I don't think I've ever smelt anything so bad! The flour power game was a blast - who knew that you could have so much fun with a bag of flour and some panty hose!? Speech contest participants did a fabulous job. Honestly, it was one of those years where I wish we could have given more than one scholarship. No fire trucks visited which, surprisingly enough, was a step up from last year. Even clean up was fun and went well. Who could ask for anything more?

All in all it was a great weekend and I'm thankful!

To see pictures, they're posted at www.spareparts.shutterfly.com. Hopefully I'll be able to add some of the ones some of my students took soon.

Current Read

Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer

I guess I'm just feeling like reading kids' books but I don't feel bad 'cause this series is pretty good. 9-12 year old readers. Bah!

It's kind of funny. When I was 12 I was reading at a university reading level - at least that's what "they" said.

Parting is such sweet sorrow

I have to confess, this parting has nothing to do with sweet but everything to do with sorrow. While rumoured, I don't think anyone in the NHL world thought this could possibly happen. Smytty, my dear Ryan Smyth, proud wearer of the blue and gold for 12 years, fan favorite and team leader, was traded today to the New York Islanders. Traded. To the Islanders.

Following today’s trade, Oilers General Manager, Kevin Lowe said, and I quote from an email straight from the team, “I want to be very clear that making this trade today is a hockey decision. It was not financial. The CBA we operate with in the NHL today means you need to have a sound hockey strategy and stick to it. Today we turned a page for sure – but this is not as much about the Oilers today, but what we continue to do as part of an overall plan. Our decision is about the direction we want to take and the opportunities we have today and tomorrow with the brilliant young players we have acquired and those we have in the organization. I want everyone to know that our decision was much more to do with a plan than a reaction. Ryan is taking a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Our opportunity is to have a sound strategy for the future.I would also like to say that Ryan Smyth has contributed a great deal over 12 seasons here in Edmonton. He should be thanked for his contribution on the ice and in the community.”

Oilers President and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick LaForge added “While on the one hand some Oilers fans might be distressed that this trade was made today, I want those same fans to be assured that the Oilers will use these excellent young players and our own deep pool of young talent in a new plan for this team. We can afford to spend the money necessary to have the kind of elite players expected. This was about the Oilers staying true to a plan. I know our hockey strategy is sound.”

Can I point out that that's a fancy way of covering up the fact that they couldn't come to a deal and, remembering the fan outcry in situations like, say, Gretzky, Messier, and, more recently, Pronger, had to come up with some official way to hopefully smooth the ice (no pun intended) and make it sound like this was intentional move that will one day (somewhere in the far, far future) actually benefit the team?! Of course. Say it's "strategy."

If you haven't read that yet, I'm not happy about this. I'm sad to see Smytty go. What can I say!? Do I think that it was a move that shows that they've given up on this season? Likely. Do I think there's hope for the years to come? Maybe. I sure hope so. As they say, they're a young team with potential. To be fair, Smytty came to us as a young guy too.

All I know is that Kevin Lowe et al better be sleeping with one eye open for the next little while. I'm expecting fans in Edmonton to get a little nasty over the whole thing.

And, 9 points back from 8th spot, we better see some of those young guys step up quick. Hemsky? Pisani? Come on boys!!!

Current Read

Bridge To Terabithia, Katherine Paterson

Wisdom from a Starbucks Cup

There are many times when dancing is the most unsupportable, ridiculous, unexpected and necessary action. Life should be spent finding those moments and tap dancing through them.
-- Christopher Hermelin


I believe that peace lies within the small and the magnificent. Born in blades of grass, living in golden sunlight, filtering through dusty shadows that whisper of tinkling piano keys. Growing in the quiet that can be found in a world that is never silent, and dying in the abandon that comes after the rain, only to be born again. Search and you will find beauty.
-- Sonya Kitchell

That's all. Might need another stop at St.Arbucks to find some more. Oh the sacrifices I make...

A Prayer

A coworker sent this to me this morning:

I pray for Thy Spirit to enter me and fill me completely.
I pray for Thy Kingdom to come in earth as it is in Heaven.
I pray for my will to become completely and utterly Thy will.
I pray for my actual needs to be met by the right supply, in the right way and at the right time.
I pray for the right persons to come into my life, at the right time and in the right way.
I pray for the right ideas to come to me in perfect sequence and in perfect order in the right time and in the right way.
I pray for my deepest soul’s sincere desire to be fulfilled in the right time and in the right way.

Marva Dawn, The Sense of the Call

“In a nutshell, the sense of our call is that God’s Kingdom reclaims us, revitalizes us, and renews us and thus reigns through us before others, on behalf of others, sometimes in spite of others, and always with others.”

Finally!

A decisive win for the boys. 4-0. A shut out for Rolli. Granted it was against Columbus but, at this point in the season, I'll take it!

Here's hoping that it's the start of something good and not just an anomaly!

It's coming....

Emerge, that is. It's ABC's open house. It's my baby, really. I've got a team of students I work with to put the thing together. The last two years have been fabulous (if I do say so myself) but I still find myself struggling with something near panic in the week prior...which is where I'm at. Inevitably, some ball has been bobbled a little. Not dropped, just bobbled. I'm pretty good at problem solving and working on the fly but I also feel the weight of outside expectations...and my own. I realize that I will never make everyone happy but sometimes it would be nice if those who aren't happy would just shut up. Really. That said, I am looking forward to it. Like I said, the last two years have been great both for connecting with students from outside and for community building here. It's just fun. It's not that far away.