Expecting #2

So, we are expecting our second child. Really, I’m not just pushing my stomach out in that picture. I’ve only just begun to get more excited about this baby as my tummy begins to round and desires for food have increased, it has become more real to me that there will be another one. When Ana is having a “bad” day I feel overwhelmed by this knowledge. I think, “Really? Two! That will be a lot of work.” Or “How in the world will we afford two!” But, then I am reminded of the many ways I am blessed. I have a wonderful husband who is incredibly supportive. Recently, he has made various efforts to meet my food desires, whether running to the market or attempting to make fried pizza rolls from scratch. He reassures me in my panic moments, lets me cry when the hormones are too much, and keeps me laughing (or lets me sleep) when I’m weary of running after a one-year old. I also have a beautiful daughter who is funny, outgoing, and smart as she learns to interact with the world around her. I look forward to seeing how she responds to #2. My hopes are for them to eventually be playmates and friends. We are also blessed by people near and far who support us in too many ways to count. It really is all about relationships! Most importantly, I am reminded of a God who meets all of our needs (though at times I’m not sure how He’ll come through) and that truly it is His story and not all about me. My prayer of late has been from Psalm 25: 4-5, “Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Although I am about to have a second child and I am nearing the end of my twenties I have so much to learn and be thankful for. I look forward to knowing #2, him or her(?) personality, and hopefully teaching them to walk in the ways of God.

freedom?

Taken from inside me,
It was ripped out.
I was so numbed, that
I didn't even notice.

But now I mourn.
I weep over my loss.
Stolen from within me,
and I gladly consented.

Under the pretense of
freedom of choice,
that which was my own
organic creativity

was strangled,
mutilated,
killed,
disposed of.

Only His love can
breathe new life into my dead
Imagination, aborted by
consumerism's imperial priests.

by Jeff Bergeson

written Jan. 5, 2008



What has happened to our imaginations when the majority of the average American's leisure time is spent in front of the television? Commercial television is less than a century old; is there really 'nothing else to do,' or have our imaginations been taken captive and we can't imagine doing anything else?

I don't have the answer, but I continue to pray...
How do we "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ," and how do we go about being "transformed by the renewing of our minds"? 2 Cor 10:5; Rom 12:2

caesar, colossians, poetry, and things...

So I just recently finished reading Colossians Remixed by Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat. It is an incredible book by this Canadian husband and wife duo who work extensively on developing students who will live out a biblical worldview through Christian Reformed Campus Ministries. There was one or two chapters in the book that I'm still trying to think through (i.e. I'm not 100% if I understand or agree with), but largely, I can recommend this book hands down to anybody who is a Christian living in a consumeristic society.
While reading this book, poetry welled up within me, and I wrote it down. I haven't written poetry in years! The following blog posts are all poems inspired from reading Colossians Remixed, in response the all pervasive "empire" -- as Walsh and Keesmaat say -- of consumerism. The subtitle of the book is: Subverting the Empire. Basically, it takes the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians as a very subversive text within the context of the Roman Empire. It discusses what "empire" is, exactly, and how following Christ is -- necessarily -- in conflict with empires and their violent domination. Jesus, quoting Isaiah (who in turn was using Jubilee imagery from Leviticus), said in his first sermon,
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

He preached this in the midst of an empire who claimed that its leader brought prosperity to all -- but expanded its territory by conquest and had slaves from the conquests. This Pax Romana supposedly brought peace to all the many, many different kinds of people it brought together, and yet, Jesus was subject to capital punishment on the cross...and so were many of his followers. We must ask why? If Caesar was god and offered peace and prosperity...then anybody else claiming to have peace and fruitfulness from another claiming to be God was committing treason! But who was God, and who gave freedom, peace, and fruitfulness?

Anyway...the next few posts will be some of the poems that resulted from me reading Colossians Remixed.

Christ's Shalom to you!

Advent Musings

This is the darkest week of the year. I find it some what depressing. I do not really want to get out of bed in the morning. It’s cold and dark. I hear about family members who lose a loved one this time of year, a pregnancy that may not last, strife between friends and family, the forced prostitution of young girls. Then I remember the end of the week. I am so thankful for Christmas. Not just the gifts though it is fun to receive and to give. Not just the food, though it is yummy and filling. Not just the family though it is good to work on and enjoy those relationships but, more so because our God sent His Son. The Great Light has come! There is hope! We no longer have to be in darkness. Whether that means our own sin and short comings or how others hurt us or the injustices in the world. I love Christmas lights as a reminder of the Light that has come. Christ who was perfectly human and divine entered our world. Not only has He entered, but He continues to be at work.

Can you see the flickering light breaking through the darkness? Sometimes it is small and hard to see, but it is there. It is in organizations who fight for those who are oppressed like IJM, it is in shelters who house women and children who must flee the violence of their homes, it is in a group of students who care what happens to the employees of their school, it is in those who visit nursing homes and soup kitchens all year long.

Our pastor recently talked about miracles and how they are not really these extra-ordinary events outside the natural order. Miracles are really a glimpse of the restoration of things to come. So, when Jesus restores sight to the blind man it is a glimpse of how things should really be. Jesus’ miracles are not suspensions of the current order, but restorations of the created order. God is working out His kingdom here and now. Glimpses of the Light are there. I love this passage in Isaiah not just for the often quoted part, but for all of it and the peek it gives us of how things will be-justice, peace, rejoicing. “I have seen a great light. . .”

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased the joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for the fire. For to us a child is born to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaish 9:2-7

Maine trip

We got to visit Jeff's grandparents, aunt, mom, and two sisters in Maine for a long weekend. It was perfect weather. We had fun just spending time together, cooking meals, walking, and enjoying the views. We took a ton of pictures if you feel strong enough to look at them all I will email them to you, just let me know:) Here are just a sample. Jeff's grandparent's cottage was right on the ocean.