Reflecting the Glory

So, how much down time do you usually take in a day? 5 minutes? 10 minutes? None?  I am a huge advocate for down time.  Everyone needs a few minutes a day, that are just theirs, when their minds can just wander, and let all the business of the day float away.  This is what biking does for me.  I had stopped biking for a couple weeks there, and during that time I have to admit, I could feel the tension growing within me.  So I have started back up again.  Everyday I get about 25 minutes in the morning, and 25 minutes in the afternoon of complete alone time.  I am coasting down the side walks of Tampa, either heading to work, or heading home.  My brain is allowed to just wander and go where ever it wants, and get rid of the baggage from the day.

This morning while riding, I couldn't help but wonder about the people driving along side me.  Some of them sipping coffee, putting on make up (which drives me nuts), singing along to something, or listening to the news.  But they all looked rushed.  They are rushing to their job, and probably have little to no actually down time.  I was reminded of a great book by N.T. Wright called, Reflecting the Glory.

This is technically a "Lentan" Devotional but I find its readings to be quite wonderful throughout the entire year.  These readings walk us through Lent and the Passion, reminding us of the gift we were given at Easter, and to take some down time.  They remind us to "reflect."  Let our minds wander and process, reflecting on what we are doing and why.  But they also remind us to 'reflect' with our lives.

How do I reflect with my life?  Well, there are only 92 days left until we celebrate the birth of our Saviour.  As that time approaches, on my bike rides, I am going to be thinking about reflecting, and how my life reflects the gifts that I have been given on that Christmas evening...

PeaceLoveCoffee!

American Red Cross

Yesterday marked the first day of a new adventure in my life.  For a while now I have desired to get involved with disaster relief.  I have felt this call on my life ever since the Katrina disaster, which was now 5 years ago.  Right after that I moved to Tampa to begin my EMT training, which was completed.  I then started to move towards nursing so I could be a more experienced member of a team, but that dream was put on hold for a brief time.  No longer.  Recently I made steps to completing my RN, and last night was my first step in getting involved with disaster relief.  I attended my orientation for becoming a volunteer of the American Red Cross, and it was wonderful. 

I learned an immense amount about the history of the Red Cross.  One interesting piece of information is that the International Committee of the Red Cross actually was started by a Swiss gentleman named, Henry Dunant in 1876.  Five years later Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross.  I had always thought the entire organization was founded by her. It fascinated me to hear how this business man, Henry Dunant's, story.  While traveling through northern Italy on business, he stopped in Solferino one evening, and witnessed a great battle in which 40,000 troops were left wounded or were killed.  Struck by the immense suffering and lack of medical attention, Dunant organized the local towns people and devoted himself to helping the sick and wounded.  He wrote his entired experience down in a book titled, A Memory of Solferino.   I plan on picking up this book, when I have a chance! :)

I left feeling very affirmed that this was the right organization to be joining.  So many areas to get involved with, a host of classes available for me to take, with an organization that is recognized the world over.

There are a lot of areas in which they need help and assistance.  I asked for the Health and Safety Services Team and the Disaster Team to contact me.  Janie, our instructor yesterday evening, informed us that the leader of these teams would be contacting us over the next week to discuss with us openings they have and where we can get involved.  So that is the next step.

PLC!

Mosque in NY

Recently, I was asked my opinion about the mosque being built in New York City.  My friend Laura posted an article on her Facebook page the other day.  Rather then try and fumble my way threw my varied thoughts on the matter, I'll just let this guy say it. 

http://www.cracked.com/blog/3-reasons-the-ground-zero-mosque-debate-makes-no-sense/

I hope you enjoy.

Peace Love and Coffee!

And Maggie makes three...

Every Wednesday I have breakfast with my dad. I am incredible lucky to be able to do this. Not many people only live 3 miles from their family.

Anyways, this morning while we were talking I was reminded of, what is quite possibly, my favorite Simpson's episode ever. It is definitely in my top 5. Episode 13 of season 6 is called, "And Maggie makes three..." This episode could make any Homer doubter become a Homer believer. The episode opens with Bart and Lisa asking Homer and Marge, why there are no baby pictures of Maggie in any of the albums. Homer then goes into the story of Maggie's birth. We learn that Homer and Marge had paid off all of their debt. Bart and Lisa we around, and Homer was working at the Power Plant. After some discussion with Marge, Homer decides to tell Mr. Burns to "shove it," and quits. He then takes up a job at the local bowling alley. So we soon find Homer completely happy! Loving his family, his job, and his life! Then we learn that Marge is pregnant. She does everything she can to keep it from Homer. Marge knows that the news would end Homer's happiness and that he would no longer be able to support his family on his bowling alley salary. Eventually he figures it out and is devistated. Because of the financial situation now, Homer is forced to go back to Mr. Burns and beg for his job back. Mr. Burns places a plague in front of Homer's desk which reads, "Don't forget: you're here forever." Once again, Homer is unhappy at work. But, as with every Simpson child, the moment Maggie was born, Homer instantly fell in love with her. After they hear the story, Bart and Lisa still don't understand why there are no baby pictures of Maggie. All Homer tells them is that they are in a place where he needs them the most. We are then taken back to Homer's office where the wall is covered with baby pictures of Maggie. He has positioned them over the sign so that it now reads, "Do It For Her."

It is truly an awesome episode.

What do your Angel's look like?

It has been a few weeks since my last post...about time for another one.

Angels...I believe in angels. No seriously, I do. I believe they are actually present. The guys in my Men's Bible study, discussed angels last week. One of the guys, Bill, asked an incredibly perceptive and thought provoking question, 'If we believe the Devil exhists, should we believe angels exist as much as we believe he exists?' When we allow one being to have so much power and influence over us and how we think, why do we then disregard the other? I would much rather live in a world where angels existed and interacted with us regularly, rather than a world completely void of them. And who says Angels are only supernatural, shining, winged beings? What do Angel's look like to you?

Literally, when I ride my bike down the street, I am regularly thinking about angels, not necessarily riding beside me, but being around and present throughout our lives. The movie, 'Angels in America' is a great discussion of different ways to think about and experience angels.

To bike...or to drive...

Nothing too exciting to report today. But, I do have a bit of a dilemma...

Summer classes are starting on Monday. I need to get up to school to pick up my text books. School is only 5.7 miles from work. But right smack in the middle, between work and school, is my house, where the car will be sitting. So I have options. I could bike all the way to school OR I could stop at home, pick up the car, and drive the rest of the way. I'm fairly certain that I will just ride all the way up there. It's not that far and I think it will actually be quite nice. I'll be soaking wet from sweat, but it will be a great workout. And it will give me whole new territory to explore on my bike. I'm really trying to commit to doing most of my communiting via bicycle. But it is very tempting to stop and pick up the car. I also just want to say that Google Maps is AWESOME! I am capable of getting "bicycle" directions. My friend Andrew told me about this. It is wonderful. And I will actually pass a Starbucks so I'll probably grab some iced tea on my way. Which makes me realize...I should have bought the cup holder for my bike. I ended up getting the bell, which is nice because now people can be warned when I am coming.
Anyways, I wish you all peace love and coffee!!!

God bless you man!

How often does someone say to me, or do I say, "God bless you?" This morning, the homeless man was back on the corner of South Howard and Swann, across from Panera. I met my mom there for coffee and breakfast before work. (As a side note, I am truly blessed to live so close to my parents that I am able to see them regularly!) She and I realized we both had lost track of time and now were both running late. I unlocked my bike, threw my bag in my basket, and made sure I had money in my pocket. I crossed the street, and gave the man my change from breakfast. He looked me in the eyes with complete excitement and said, "God bless you man!" As I rode away from him, it left me wondering. How often do I hear or say, "God bless you," to people...besides when someone sneezes? I mean, when do I just say it, or hear it being said to someone? But also, it made me reflect on how much He has blessed me! Are joyful givers those who live knowing they are blessed and give out of their joy? If so, I want to live like that.