Facebook free, indeed.

This past June, I left the facebook world. I was getting pretty wrapped up in it (so time consuming,) and found that over 3.5 years, it went gradually from being a handy contact device to a place where I was putting too much identity. My facebook page became too much about me. About my kingdom. And not about the One whose kingdom I should be seeking. Or those He put in my path to love and serve.

I can just hear Jane Austen as she penned the oft quoted words of Marianne Dashwood: "Oh, Elinor, where is your heart?" Only, somewhere in the back of my mind, it was my name in the plea, not Elinor's.

 

Facebook free. This doesn't mean I can't be in touch with family and friends overseas, there are plenty of other ways to connect! But the freedom I've tasted is so... so good. My relationships have become so much more genuine. For example, when I ask someone how they're doing, I'm much more interested now since I haven't already read about it on facebook or seen the pictures. I have no preconceived ideas about what they're going to say. My conversations are so much more real! How did I miss out on this? 

The other day I spent some time with a young friend who had recently been volunteering in the Philippines. She laid the most beautiful collage of photos on the living room floor, as she explained the stories and moments and smiles behind them. It was truly a special time, because I wasn't at home in my office or at my dining room table surfing facebook by myself. I was with her, and she shared her journey as we laughed together. It was good.

Last week, it was my friend's birthday who isn't living in the area. I picked up the phone. We chatted for an hour and a half! We laughed, we talked about serious things, we laughed some more. It was good.

I've been missing my "family" from Peru. (They aren't blood related, but after living with them for 2 months, we've all adopted each other just the same.) I somehow (oddly enough, it was accidental!) logged into MSN chat, and two of my dear friends were online. We chatted and visited in English, Español, and "Espanglish". It was good.

My three nieces popped by with a friend the other evening during some free time at a retreat weekend. (Yes, I live at a camp. And it's a blast!) We piled on the bed and whatever chairs we could cram into my one room suite. We talked and listened and encouraged, and laughed - yes, and nearly cried too. We were just... together. It was SO good.

If you're feeling lonely. If you're feeling disconnected. If you're feeling like you need to refocus. Here's my challenge: close facebook for the day. Put down the iPod. Pick up the phone. Get on your bike. Arrange a skype date. Reach out and touch somebody else. Give your Aunt a hug. Bake cookies for the lady down the street. Pray down the phoneline with your out of town friend. It may surprise you how much you can bust out of loneliness when you seek out the lonely, the hurting, those who speak into your life and encourage you, or those who have just always been there for no particular reason. 

Something I'm learning in real time.

the Pauper Burger

I admit it: I love cheeseburgers. Especially with lots of spicy sauce and loaded with tomato and onion. But when the juicy craving hits, I usually can't bring myself to spend $6 for a burger that I know is going to show up in my arteries later on. It's a cruel fate: the things we crave are often not the best for us. (Um, let's address doughnuts and Oreos another day!)

So I've formed a habit of propping my fridge open and inventing all sorts of cheeseburger-substitute sandwiches instead. Not only does this save me $6 since I'm using common ingredients on hand, it's also a much healthier option that doesn't leave me lethargic for the rest of the day! Here's my most recent addition, cheekily deemed the "Pauper Burger." (Move over, A&Dub!)

By the way, this sandwich doesn't actually contain any hamburger at all, since my schedule often doesn't leave a lot of time for making lunch. Eggs, on the other hand, are quick, nutritious, inexpensive, (thanks, Cherith Brook Farm! aka: Mum and Dad!) and I always keep a stash of them. If you're looking for a real hamburger, better head back to town. Or you could look here: http://allrecipes.com/ (aka: my favourite cooking site.)

The Pauper Burger: A&W Substitute no. 17

• 2 slices of toast, buttered lightly (real butter is better for you than hydrogenated fats!)
  
• 1 farm fresh egg (high in iron)
  
• Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (yum!)
• a splash of milk (...I don't know. It's something people put in omelettes. I don't usually bother!)
  
• a few pickled banana pepper rings (zesty goodness)
  
• handful of fresh spinach leaves (also high in iron)
  
• a slice or two of cheese (so many options right here!)
  
• 3 slices of tomato (heaps of health benefits: http://www.dietobio.com/aliments/en/tomato.html)
  
• optional hot sauce (I love Sriracha, found in the Asian isle)
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Basically, all you do is make a little omelette with your egg + milk splash mixture, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, sprinkling the pepper rings on top. Once it starts to set, lay the spinach on one side and fold the omelette over itself, so that the spinach steams lightly inside the egg. Top with a little cheese, and pop a lid over the fry pan for a couple minutes until the cheese melts and the spinach starts to wilt. (Not too long, or your spinach will overcook!) When it's done, make a sandwich out of the toast, omelette, and tomato slices, flavouring with a little salt, pepper and hot sauce if you're feeling spicy.

Tada! Gourmet sandwiches at home. Hearty, healthy, and much less than $6!

Justice: love and truth inseparable.

Looking for a read to get you out of your chair? Here's two:

The Bravehearted Gospel by Eric Ludy. A little slow for me getting started, (I'm about halfway through,) but the essence of the book shakes our rather tame and watered down ideas of Christianity.

N.T. Wright; Simply Christian. I'm only in the beginning stages of the book, but it's got my wheels turning full speed...

Here's what these two complimentary books have got me thinking about so far:

It's crazy. We, the western society, "want" justice so badly, yet we refuse to grasp Jesus' example of how it is lived out; how it works. We are so preoccupied with our own personal rights. Justice isn't hung up on me, on my rights. Yet we forget to check ourselves against Jesus' teaching: love God, love your neighbor. Have we lost touch with what Christianity truly is? Are we stomping on each other by willingly ignoring truth?

Yes, there is love in justice. There is grace, warmth, healing and a sense of peace. We cannot dismiss that justice also embraces the harsh reality of truth. Justice draws lines. Just like Jesus did. Jesus didn't simply think that truth was a nice idea. He lived it. He was truth in living form. He still is.

Luke 10:27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

John 8:31-32 NIV: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. (32) Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ESV: "...If you abide in my word..." v.31)

John 14:6: Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life..."

art and the heart

Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Your decrees! [Psalm 119:5]

After seeing a friend's photography artwork, and while working on a devo for the YFC music crew, the verse I jotted on my arm for the day inspired this shot... (Backdrop painting by my sister Kerri Anne.)

change. celebration. and the Stamp River.

A new day. A new dawn, new pages
a fresh leaf to overturn
I gaze at the swirls and ripples
the play of light so casually interrupted by foam
ever moving, taking new form

The water seems to breathe and sigh and sway
yet steady as the border, majestic, stands
jagged, they are, but in places smooth
weathered and worn, yet strong
the rocks stand unmovable as a guide
and I take refuge in a cleft
staring mesmerized upon the motion picture before me

Is this what I am to become?
The water guided so gently. A life surrendered fully.

In pockets the river stills
perhaps that's what You ask of me sometimes
in places bold and courageous
but still a soft direction holds...

In this small view, I cannot tell from where it comes
or where it goes
but this, I know; it is tangible
I can touch it. Smell it. Taste it.
Celebrate it.