Aunt Deanna

Jesus spent his time on Earth serving the needs of God’s people.  (Mark 10:45).  As Christians we are called to the same in love through Jesus Christ. (Galatians 5:13).  We can serve through various ways—teaching, sharing, being a role model or a mentor, discipline, love, friendship, etc.  We all have people that serve us at different stages and in different ways throughout our lives. 

In my life, I have had a handful of people who made a difference in my life through their service.  Besides the obvious people (my parents) one particular person stands out –my aunt D.  She gave me so much of her time, her energy, her affection, and her attention.  I will always carry with me the things she influenced and taught me in my life.  She wasn’t afraid to discipline or correct me when I was wrong.  (Proverbs 3:11-12).  I not only thank her and respect her for that, but also learned from her now to interact with other people’s children.  She was patient with me in my struggle as a child to overcome my learning difficulties.  One specific thing she taught me was how to space out my words, practice it with me, and why it was important.  She never let me get away with being a jerk or having friends who were bad influences.  I spent summers visiting her and even helped out at her office being a gofer. 

I believe God blesses our lives through people like my aunt D who was a mentor, a friend, and a mother to me. 

“³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. ⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature^[of a servant, being made in human likeness.” 
~Philippians 2:3-7

I am ...?

With hockey season started and the World Series (baseball finals) finishing I am reminded of the Stanley Cup (hockey finals) riot in Vancouver this past year and my reaction to it.  When I heard about the riot it made me feel angry, disappointed, and ashamed by those people who “miss-represented” Canadians and Canada. 

I recently discussed “patriotic feelings” with a friend of mine and it made me reflect on my reaction to the riot.  I realized that I placed most of my worth as a person in my citizenship.  The actions of the rioters (strangers) personally affected my emotions and challenged who I was as a person.  I have placed too much emphasis on who I am, in the world, and not enough on who Jesus is.  Jesus is the Son of God, he is our saviour, and our brother.  In Jesus we are born again (2 Corinthians 5:17), and we have been adopted into God`s family making us citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:2).  Our true identity lies not in a pile of dirt, a plastic government issued card, or anything else this world has to offer us but it lies in God (Ephesians 2:19).

Paper or Plastic?

We are being constantly introduced to new and alternative forms of technology, such as E-readers.  However, I’m partial to paper books and find that the case for them more compelling and extensive. [http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/08/03/back-story-books-vs-e-books.html] Of course my interest in them is more nostalgic and sensual them simply practical: the smell and character used books have; the weight and feel as you read; the turning of pages; and the welcoming atmosphere of a used bookstore.  (That said I am intrigued by the E-reader and can think of reasons I would use one, but as of yet I have not bought one.)  Reflecting on the debate over the two and my own personal interest I thought about the history that has brought paper books to where they are today: the creation of the written word; advances in writing materials (i.e. scrolls and paper); inks and leads; writing utensils (i.e. pens and pencils); printing press; and the exhaustive work of translators. 

Moses chiselled the 10 commandments on rocks for God`s people, and Gutenberg invented the printing press to mass produce bibles that would help share God`s word.  But before all this we were given the word (John 1:1).  And through time and advancements, from stone to paper, God`s words are still strong, for the are everlasting and enduring (1Peter 1:23).  Paper books and E-readers are just things that will rot and rust (Mathew 6:19-21).  I`m reminded that personal interests and preferences aren`t the most important thing; what matters is God`s word.

ViewerShip

Our eyes are the crucial and influential means for taking in information.  It can affect how we feel about, view, or understand concepts.  Jesus talked about the importance of our eyes in Mathew 6:22-23 and Luke 11:34-35calling the eyes “the lamp of your body.”  As a lamp needs to be fed oil to give light, our hearts do as well.  What goes in can feed sinfulness of godliness.  We are being fed an array of visual media (T.V., movies, internet, advertisements, etc.) not much different from a buffet-most of it is “junk food.”  We are consuming this “junk” daily.  How many of us stop to ask ourselves: Why am I watching this? What is the value in it? Is this pleasing to God?  Paul reminds us in the beginning of Romans Chapter 12 (Verses 1-3) what we should do and what is more important.  We are not meant to conform to this world but be renewing our minds – does “junk” do that? 

However, simply watching is not the problem.  It’s the excess.  People schedule their lives around their shows and could never miss a single episode.  Others become emotionally attached to non-existent fictional characters in a falsely interactive world.  Some even invest countless hours discussing, thinking and watching their shows.  Getting caught up in the next narrative and anticipating it like Christmas morning. 

I don’t sit on my high horse, aghast at the horrors of others.  I am reflecting on my past conduct, and that of those I know or have known.  I have wasted hours upon hours straight on watching whole season of old T.V. shows.  Stepping back and looking at that behaviour I am appalled at myself.  I have not had a T.V. for two years now and I am still alive!  Instead I read books, take walks, or do crafts.  I write, take pictures, or socialize with friends.  But I still check Facebook 3 times a day, watch more So You Think You can Dance clips then I need to, and I have a husband who spends hours finding out everything he can about politics.  I catch a movie but I want it to fit into my schedule not the other way around.  There is a verse from the word to help encourage us to stay strong. 

“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” -- Psalm 119:37

The Morning Paper

A person's morning routine 50 years ago, included, more often then not a recently delivered local newspaper, a cup of coffee or orange juice, and a hearty breakfast.  Each page was scanned thoughtfully and some even sparked discussions.

Fast forward to this generation of technologically advanced individuals, where pop-tarts are washed down with energy drinks; social networks have the highest membership volumes; and newsfeed from email homepages get more hits then established online newspapers.

Today we rely on this over flowing "junk drawer" we call the internet to inform us from how to spell a word to quantum physics.  How it's accessed and the quality of it is for the individual to decide.  

How do you start you morning?