Loneliness continued

As I mentioned before, I'm doing a paper on loneliness. Some of my questions are: who are the lonely? What makes people lonely? What do lonely people do about their loneliness? What are our churches doing about our loneliness?

Here's some issues I'm dealing with:
Identifying loneliness (can it ever be truly defined?)
Who is lonely (pretty much everyone at some point or another. Groups that include signficant loneliness include stay at home parents, the developmentally disabled, elderly widows/widowers, people who are unable to be involved in social networks because of socieoeconomic status)
When do we feel alone? (after a big move, after the loss of a significant friend/other)
What does the Bible have to say about loneliness (I'll look at Psalms and Jesus' crucifixion with the famous words of "My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me?")
What can our churches do about it (small groups, intentional reaching out and transcending barriers)
Where is God in our loneliness? (here, I want to address the issue of solitude as a spiritual practice)

When we moved to KC after we got married, I dealt with loneliness. Steve and I have conflicting work schedules, and we spend time by ourselves. Although homework has kept me occupied for a majority of the time, it can be lonely.

So how have I dealt with it? Sometimes I watch TV (not a good option. I read somewhere where people who watch more TV tend to be unhappier than people who watch less). Sometimes I exercise (this weekend was good for that). I get my ipod geared toward some good music, and enjoy God's creation. Other actions to alleviate loneliness are getting involved in a small group at church (I'm a big fan of those), reaching out to a coworker who may be down, call an old friend, or get involved in service projects. Sometimes, it's good to be alone and listen to God's voice. FOr me, I'm constantly struggling with being patient enough to listen.

When have you felt lonely? What do you do about it? How is God present in your loneliness?

Loneliness

I'm doing a paper in pastoral counseling on Loneliness and how the church can help. I think everyone, at some point or another, has been lonely. Here's a quote from Mother Theresa that sums it up:

"When Christ said: "I was hungry and you fed me," he didn't mean only the hunger for bread and for food; he also meant the hunger to be loved. Jesus himself experienced this loneliness. He came amongst his own and his own received him not, and it hurt him then and it has kept on hurting him. The same hunger, the same loneliness, the same having no one to be accepted by and to be loved and wanted by. Every human being in that case resembles Christ in his loneliness; and that is the hardest part, that's real hunger."

I'm exploring several questions: Do our churches address loneliness? If so, how? Who are some people that are most suspectible to loneliness? How do we reach out and minister to them?

Hopefully, this will connect with last year's paper of Caring for Christians who are Unable to Attend Corporate Worship Because of Vocational Calling/Committment/Limitation. Perhaps people who can't attend corporate worship are especially vulnerable to loneliness and feel as if they are outsiders, often due to no fault of their own. Furthermore, if they are among the blue collar workers who have to work on Sundays to support their families, they may feel additional economic alienation from people who have weekday jobs and perhaps higher incomes.

Feelings of loneliness are common, but also allow for us to rely on God. Even though we feel lonely, we are never truly alone (I think I got that from Doyle). Loneliness is inevitable, but at the same time is a blessing to see God in a new light.

question

What would a church look like if it intentionally ministered to and reached out to people who had to work on Sundays? (Airport personnel, Fast food workers, Nurses, Gas station workers, etc). How would this happen?

Mini Vacation/conference

Steve and I went to Orlando last week for a conference and to see my friend Lindsey. I must say, though, I had more fun on the beach than at the conference (no offense to Brian McLaren or any of the other speakers). The conference was good, but I felt out of place. So last week, I was doing this:

(At a restaurant at New Smyrna Beach. We couldn't resist)

(new Smyrna Beach on Sunday--before the conference)

Needless to say, we got back on Thursday, and on Friday night/Saturday morning, we got 6 inches of snow. Talk about change!

Losing a bet, watching Rambo, and seeing God

Steve and I had a Super Bowl bet. His team won, so I had to watch a movie of his choice (without falling asleep, which I have been known to do) as well as make him a dinner he likes. I had just gotten off of work, so he did most of the cooking (chicken fingers and fries in a deep fryer he got for Christmas). We watched the most recent Rambo movie. I had never seen a Rambo movie at all, but he's got the whole collection with special features.

The most recent Rambo movie takes place in Burma. I've mentioned Burma before, particularly in its horrible treatment of Christians and minorities. My seminary has a partnership with a school over there, and I would like to visit sometime.

Steve and I also watched the special features in Rambo. One feature chronicles the horrible situation in Burma. Sylvester Stallone said that he actually had to tone down the violence in the movie from what was actually being depicted in real life (which, for Rambo, is saying a lot). Another person on the feature said that the situation in Burma was worse than in Darfur, with the taking of boys as child soliders, raping of the women, and burning of entire villages. The military junta (the government) spends about 40% on the military with no external enemies.

It's a very interesting movie if you can handle the violence. Props to Stallone for bringing this unknown issue into light. There are also some Christian references in the movie that are pretty neutral.

Please pray for our Burmese brothers and sisters.

"No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” -John Donne

things I'm looking forward to this semester

1. going to Orlando for conference for CBF young leaders and to see a friend. This will happen in about 3 weeks (not that I'm excited or anything). It will be over Steve's birthday.
2. Winter turning into Spring. I'm sick of the cold.
3. translating various parts of the NT in Greek, and using it in personal study and meditation.
4. Actually exploring KC and actually visiting the Crown Center and the Plaza
5. Learning how to counsel in Pastoral Counseling (I've got a long way to go)
6. Finding a good tasting but not too expensive Chinese restaurant (and Mexican as well)
7. Perhaps finally finding kitchen chairs for our table.
8. Putting wedding photos in an album (Ok, that will probably wait until summer)
9. Planning a camping trip with Steve (the actual trip itself will have to wait this summer)
10. Seeing both my siblings graduate, although only attending one graduation (they graduate on the same day, 4 hours apart).
11. being halfway done with school

Since I was tagged.....

I was tagged by my friend Hannah Banana, and haven't written in a while, so what better than to start off with silly random facts? :) Here they are:





Rules:Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.(To do this, go to "notes" under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people (in the right hand corner of the app) then click publish.)





1. I plan on(God willing, of course) getting my doctorate. I haven't decided though, between Ph.D. or D.Min or Th.D.


2. Steve and I had our first date at Dairy Queen. Although, at the time we were "hanging out"


3. I've named every car that I've had. I'm tenatively calling this one "the silver bullet". Names mean character


4. I want to go to every continent except Antarctica. I want to travel a lot, even visit the South Pacific.


5. I used to play piano


6. After going without a radio in my car for 6 months, I'm amazed that, well, how a lot of Christian music sounds similar (there are good songs out there, though). Steve should produce a good quality (both musically and theologically) heavy metal Christian CD


7. Even though I'm frustated with the monotony of Christian music, I still listen to it the most. In the past, I gave up "secular" music for Lent. Only classical, Christian, and Disney music. (Disney allows for the fun and humor)


8. I hate trying on shoes and buying shoes and, in the summer, wearing shoes


9. My sister in the wicked witch in the Wizard of Oz in her play at Lindenwood. If you are in the STL area, be sure to check her out. Best actress ever!


10. We plan on naming our first dog "Sir Poops a Lot" or, if it's a girl "Lady Poops a lot"


11. I yell at football games more than Steve. We're rooting for different teams at the Super Bowl. What can I say, I root for the underdog


12. I need to work on my study habits


13. I miss my STL friends


14. I like to color and act like a kid


15. I'm more of a summer girl than a winter one.


16. I'm growing my hair for locks of love....and only have a couple of more inches!


17. I like some Adam Sandler movies, but not all of them. I do like weird comedy


18. We have a kitchen table and no chairs. And it's been a while like that. Thank goodness for camping chairs


19. the only stuffed animal we have in our apartment is an orange cow that our friends Jeni and Trevor gave to us when we moved in


20. I am from one of 3 state capitols in the nation with no interstates running through it


21. I've been craving a frappacino, even though it's been cold. Good thing our budget keeps me from caving in.


22. My high school mascot was fictional. There is no such thing as a red Jaybird.



23. My brother and sister are twins, but they look nothing alike. Some say I look like a mixture between them


24. Steve didn't tell me where we were going on the honeymoon until two weeks beforehand



25. I can't shuffle cards or snap my fingers

What I like about Seminary

Here it is: Professors and staff playing frisbee golf inside the main building. The prize? A gift certificate to Borders. Talk about a perfect way to relieve finals stress.

One more week and I am done for the semester. Praise God!!

Edit to my Christmas song post.

My sister graciously reminded me of the song "The Hat I got for Christmas is too Beeg [big]" that should have made the top 5 list. It has a Latin melody with a singer that has a latin accent. For some reason, this song reminds me of my parents' cat Seymore. I can see him wearing a sombrero and singing this song.

You'll have to forgive me. I stayed up late last night finishing a paper, and needless to say, am a little loopy.

Here's to you Seymour the cat!

Top 5 Christmas songs

I have a love-hate relationship with Christmas. I like Christmas songs, but hate commercialization. I like Christmas parties and being off school, but hate making Christmas lists. I like the birth of Christ, but hate shopping for Christmas gifts. I almost adopted a bah-humbug attitude several times, and am trying not to do that this year. Truth be told though, I'm not so keen about having a Christmas tree. And really, with a one-bedroom apartment, who needs one?

I do like probably 70% of Christmas songs (except the little drummer boy--can't stand that one!), with the exception of some extra cheesy songs. Here, I would like to say, are my top 5 favorite Christmas songs:

1. Baby It's Cold Outside. Not neccessarily a Christmas song, but fun enough in and of itself. It doesn't talk about Jesus, but sure makes me crave hot chocolate and blankets.

2. Christmas Eve Sarajevo by Trans Siberian Orchestra. It's just a cool song. I would like to go to a concert to see them with Steve sometimes. (When it's not around Christmas, they are a heavy metal band called Savatage. Steve likes heavy metal. It would be probably the only concert we could go to together and both be happy.)

3. O Holy Night. I love praying the words of this song. Absolutely beautiful, a song about redemption and praise.

4. While You were Sleeping by Casting Crowns.

5. Handel's Messiah. The whole thing.

Vetran's Day

Just reminding you to thank a vetran! I'm going to see my grandparents. My grandpa is a WWII vet. He flew (wasn't a pilot, but a gunner) planes over the South Pacific. After watching that PBS special last year on WWII, I was amazed.

Also, an estimated 1/3 of the homeless are vetrans. There are many ways to thank a vetran, and ministering to the homeless is one of them.

facebook, seminary, and marriage

The semester is in full gear, so the posts might be fewer and fewer in between (it's not like I posted a lot anyway).

5k:
The 5k training isn't going as well as I had planned, but Steve and I got some cold weather running gear (aka swishy pants at Walmart) so I am good to go. I do need a cheapo headband thing for my ears. I'm going to try to run in the morning, except for a couple of days.

Seminary:
I had mentioned a project that I was going to do before called "caring for people who aren't able to go to Sunday morning worship because they have jobs". I know it's along title, but I haven't figured out a way to shorten it appropriately. Basically, it addresses how one can be a part of the church community if he/she is unable to come Sunday mornings.

I figured out about 20 or 30 jobs that people have that would inhibit them sometimes or most times to be unable to come to church. Oftentimes, people have no choice (such as doctors, police officers, etc). For others, their job is the primary source of income (retail positions, nurses, emergency personnel).

To connect people who are unable to come to church to church body, there are some options. Facebook could be a popular one. Making sure sermons and worship services are recorded is another. Of course, small groups remain a popular choice.

I'm really excited about this because I see a real need for ministering to those who don't work 8-5 Mon.-Fri. If we only minister to the 8-5 crowd, what does that say about our churches? and who attends them?

In hermeneutics, I used a phrase from the rapper FLAME (who also attended my alma mater, btw) on my test. I'm also writing a paper on Jer. 7.1-15.

In other seminary news, I really like being in community. Most people who attend my seminary are either going back to school after being in another career or are attending while pastoring a church. There is so much to learn from these individuals, and it's a very humbling experience. I enjoy our seminary and our community.
Work:
Is good, I actually don't mind working downtown. the hours are good, the pay is good, and I get good healthcare. Which saves us $$ since I don't have to be on Steve's plan.

Marriage:
is great. Steve is better than I deserve.

Spiritual Life:
Thank goodness God is a God of grace. I feel like Paul in Romans 7-8. Enough said.

Well, to put it bugs bunny style, "That's all folks"

why I like voting

Steve and I live directly accross the polling place. We got up early (5:45), got dressed, and walked across the street to go vote about 5:55. We ended up standing in line for about an hour and a half. When we got out, there was no line. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. Afterwards, we walked about a mile, got some breakfast, and went back.

The cool thing about voting is that you don't talk about politics while standing in line. Sure, you share a common enthusiasm and excitement with others in line. But if you're smart, you don't share how you're voting.

This is refreshing because we are focusing on things we have in common. When we vote, we are proud to be Americans. The voting process fuels a patriotic spirit that is shared across different viewpoints and party lines. No one is really hateful when standing in line to vote.

So now, here is a prayer for our election:

Dear LORD, we pray for our country today. We pray that Your will be done. We pray for our leaders, that they may lead with discernment and wisdom with regard to Your best interests. We pray for our election workers, that they may have strength for a long day. We ask for discernment for voters as they head to the polls. God, we know our earthly dwelling is temporary, and let us keep heaven in mind today. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whom we live, move, and have our being. Amen

on the road again.....

I signed up for my first 5k in 2 years. It will take place in late January in the KC area. I bought my first pair of new balance shoes (i've been pretty faithful to nike). Paying to race in a 5k (it goes to charity) will motivate me to train--that and I just bought the biggest sized pants in my life. (much of my old pants were kind of stolen, it's a long story, way too long for this post). anyways, my goal is to finish the race without walking. I know it's a very small goal compared to the high school days, but I got to do what I got to do. So far, my knee isn't acting up too much--much ice and ibuprofen might be needed.

uh oh

one of the jobs I'm applying for has a quota of 60 wpm for typing.

I am at the brink--sometimes over, sometimes under.

Please pray for me--I am practicing (along with studying for midterm).

What are some good ideas to speed up your typing speed?