Trevor Durbin
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In order to save a little cash this year, we've decided to cancel our hosting plan and move to the free WordPress.com, so you'll need to update your favorites or RSS reader or sticky-note you keep stuck to the computer monitor.
Our new address is thedurbins.wordpress.com
We're up-and-running RIGHT NOW...but will be making some changes here-and-there over the next couple of weeks. Thanks for following our little blog to this point, and we hope to see you at our new location.
More photo challenges with my photo group. Last week was black and white. My submission here.
This week, funny faces! I knew exactly who to photograph. The queen of silliness herself, my niece Natalie.
Some more fun ones:
It's shocking, I know... but at long last, the epic T-shirt quilt is finished! Or, as some of my Parks & Rec-loving-friends would say, DUNZO. (I had to have Trevor tell me the reference after I was already using the phrase. Someone doesn't keep up...)
I started this quilt with my mom over TWO YEARS AGO. Yes, that's ridiculous, I know. I had been saving onto old t-shirts that had sentimental value - which included school t-shirts from childhood, many of the high school plays on which I worked backstage, music festivals, youth group activities, sports team loyalties, kunai and crew memories from college, Belarus and more - and began to piece them in a huge quilt. My mom had a smaller t-shirt quilt that I was helping her with, too. We would get together once every month or so to sit down for a few hours and work. It was much more complicated and time-consuming than perhaps it should have been, but for a first foray into a t-shirt quilt for either of us, I'd say I'm proud of the end result.
Rather than opt for a completely symmetrical quilt with identical sized t-shirt squares, we decided to tailor the quilt to fit the size of each individual t-shirt image that we wanted to save. This decision, of course, contributed to the complication. We also opted to iron on interfacing to each t-shirt back for additional support and to prevent stretching during sewing. In retrospect, I think this step was unnecessary. It added stiffness and weight, which ultimately weren't needed. (Of course, the sewing part was a cinch with the interfacing.) Finally, we backed the whole thing with fleece.
Phew! What a job. Now Trevor and I have a huge queen-sized quilt that is personal AND warm for the winter months this year.
Goals? Resolutions? What are those?
Well, we traditionally have made new year's resolutions and goals, but I think discouragement over not completing so many of them in previous years leaves us lacking enthusiasm to make new lists for 2012. (Our 2011 and 2010 goal lists.)
However, we do have book lists. Here's a peek at our combined list o' books to read in 2012:
Kristi:
+ Nathan Coulter by Wendell Berry
+ Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
+ The Adolescent by Fyodor Dostoevsky
+ The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
+ Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
+ Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Toby Hemenway
+ The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
+ The King's Cross by Timothy Keller
+ The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
+ Oldman's Guide to Outsmarting Wine by Mark Oldman
+ Think by John Piper
+ The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
+ The Harry Potter series (1-7) by J.K. Rowling
+ The Sheer Ecstasy of Being a Lunatic Farmer by Joel Salatin
+ When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris
+ East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Trevor:
+ The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
+ Sanctuary of the Soul by Richard Foster
+ The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
+ The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
+ Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott
+ The Chronicles of Narnia (books 3-7) by C.S. Lewis
+ Tempted and Tried by Russell Moore
+ Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
In terms of other goal-related things, we're trying to focus on successfully tackling what is going to be our busiest year yet (with both work and school) and knocking out some bigger projects that have been sitting on the back burner. In general, Kristi will be really happy to do well in school, earn some scholarship money, and enjoy learning new things at the UK South Farm and through an as-yet-to-be-found summer internship. Kristi would also love to adopt a new dog this spring or summer, try making new recipes every week, and stay in shape by erging, running, and biking.
Trevor would like to tackle some bigger home projects that have been waiting for attention (repainting the guest bedroom, working on the deck and storage area, fixing some damage our beloved Lyo caused, etc.) in prospects of possibly putting our house on the market this year. He's also planning on ramping up his biking regularity and changing some eating habits that lead to finishing out 2011 in poorer shape than he'd like to be in.
What are some of your goals/resolutions/what-have-yous for the new year?
Christmas lasts 12 days, from December 25th until January 5th. Then comes Epiphany on January 6th, also called Theophany which means "vision of God." This oft-overlooked holiday commemorates the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the Magi, and the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God to the Gentiles. Some also commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan river on this day.
Why is it that we start celebrating Christmas a month in advance, bypass the waiting period of Advent, and then forget about Christmas on the 26th? I am guessing that our culture has won out over the Christian calendar. I know our household is in the minority to intentionally observe Advent, and, to even recognize the 12 days of Christmas and Epiphany. Our Christmas decorations won't come down until after Epiphany, and I relish in Christmas hymns this whole time. Sometimes I think I need to follow the church calendar for the sake of our own sanity and joy this time of year.
My aim is simply to capture the wonder and beauty of the waiting, the anticipation, and the full 12-days of celebration of the Christmas season with my family, rather than get caught up in the other common feelings of Christmas: stress, preoccupation, exhaustion, ennui. It is not easy, so I turn to friends and traditions to help us. Weekly advent gatherings with friends, lighting candles... One friend bakes a "three kings cake" on epiphany. As for us, we'll leave you a poem for this holiday.
The Journey of the Magi by T.S. Eliot
A cold coming we had of it,
Just the worst time of the year
For a journey, and such a long journey:
The ways deep and the weather sharp,
The very dead of winter.
And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory,
Lying down in the melting snow.
There were times when we regretted
The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,
And the silken girls bringing sherbet.
Then the camel men cursing and grumbling
And running away, and wanting their liquor and women,
And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,
And the cities dirty and the towns unfriendly
And the villages dirty and charging high prices:
A hard time we had of it.
At the end we preferred to travel all night,
Sleeping in snatches,
With the voices singing in our ears, saying
That this was all folly.
Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,
Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;
With a running stream and a water mill beating the darkness,
And three trees on the low sky,
And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.
Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,
Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,
And feet kicking the empty wineskins.
But there was no information, and so we continued
And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon
Finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory.
All this was a long time ago, I remember,
And I would do it again, but set down
This set down
This: were we led all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.
My photography group, Click-ish, is having fun in January with a few weekly themes. This weeks's theme: bokeh. Submissions from all group members can be viewed on our blog, here.
As for me, my submission is below, followed by a few others. Enjoy.
We have a habit of getting in on the whole recap-the-year thing at the blog, so why stop the tradition this year? This time, we're playing to our strengths... So we're giving you the book and movie highlights, as represented by Kristi and Trevor respectively, from 2011. Granted, these aren't all books and movies that came out in 2011, they simply represent ones we enjoyed during the year.
Best Books Kristi Read in 2011:
1. Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry: Ah, Wendell Berry. We've really gotten to know each other this past year, figuratively, so it should not be much of a surprise to my friends that he earns the top spot on my book list. Jayber Crow is part of the Port William series of novels, but is suited to be read as a stand alone piece of fiction. Jayber was the first major fiction piece of Berry's that I decided to read. I was not disappointed as his expertise as a wordsmith and storyteller shone brilliantly from the pages in a story both surprising, fresh, and deeply moving. I would have never suspected such a great story from this unassuming book about a bachelor barber in small town America. I can't wait to read his other novels.
2. A Praying Life by Paul E. Miller: I am not sure what I expected out of this book, and I've read my fair share of books on prayer. But this one was refreshing and honest. The author wrote on prayer in practical and personal terms, while staying true to Scripture and the Spirit; I welcomed this combination of qualities for the subject of prayer which is often written as merely intellectual exposition or from an entirely experiential approach.
3. The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis: I definitely love Lewis, and am glad I took the time to read through one of his classic works this year. Beautiful and illuminating.
4. The Valley of Vision: This compilation of Puritan prayers never failed to speak to me, whether by encouraging or striking a nerve. Reading through this book was a great way to start 2011; I can't recommend enough giving these old, written prayers a try.
5. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: I kept hearing about this trilogy but waved it off as another fad like Harry Potter and Twilight and wasn't interested in it. My friend Jennifer forced me to borrow the books this past April so with some reluctance I started reading... and simply could not stop. I read all three within a week. However, they still seemed a bit too violent for young readers and contained a lot of themes that would be better appreciated by adults. I'm now looking forward immensely to the movies, too.
6. Demons by Dostoevsky: Another great, dark, complex book by Dostoevsky. Not his best, but definitely worthwhile and worthy to be considered a Russian lit classic.
7. Silent Spring by Rachel Carson: Carson's book is toted as "the classic that launched the environmental movement." After reading it, I can absolutely understand why it is so monumental. The text is at times technical, but overall surprisingly readable for scientific writing.
8. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers: This book is #17 on the Modern Library's Top 100 Novels (English language). It had a slow start but once I got into it, I really couldn't put it down! A great weaving of diverse characters and story lines.
9. The Unsettling of America by Wendell Berry: One of Berry's finest compilation of essays on cultural and agricultural issues.
10. Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver: I listened to this one on CD during my April road trip to NC and SC, so Trevor claims I didn't "read it." Semantics! It was really enjoyable and maybe I'll go out and buy a hard copy and re-read it just to silence Trevor's objections.
Best Movies Trevor Watched in 2011:
1. Midnight in Paris -- This was my favorite movie of 2011 for many reasons: I thought it was genuinely funny, wonderfully romantic, beautifully shot, and timeless enough that I would actually enjoy owning and watching it over-and-over again. Also, thanks to my bibliophile wife (who understood a lot of the "Moveable Feast" subtext in the film), I was introduced to Ernest Hemingway's writings for the first time and, subsequently, found him to be my favorite writer. After watching this film, I also realized that I very much enjoy Owen Wilson as an actor. Many people will probably disagree with most of what I've said above, but that's their prerogative.
2. Tree of Life -- I watched this movie knowing that people were divided in their opinions almost diametrically. I fall in the camp that believes it is not only a wonderful piece of cinema aesthetically, but also thematically. There is so much symbolism that can be discussed, intentional on the director's part or not, that I think it was a valuable watch if for nothing more than the good conversation we and some friends had afterward. I can only imagine how great it would have been to see the beautiful images in the cinema, as we only watched it on DVD at home.
3. The Descendants -- This movie grew on me only after having some time to think about it after the showing. It's hard to explain why I have come to "love" this movie without spoiling some of the bigger moments in the film, but I dare say that I haven't seen more accurate depictions of the Five Stages of Grief as well as reconciliation, forgiveness, and redemption in most of the movies I watched this year. Certainly recommended.
4. Crazy, Stupid, Love -- It's not a secret that I enjoy the romantic comedy genre more than, I guess, other men (typically) do...so I have seen my fair-share of the good, the bad, and the ugly that this camp has to offer. Lately, I've really been enjoying the more "realistic" and complex stories, with characters that are flawed and endings that -- while generally still "happy" -- don't necessarily have a big, pink bow tied around them (another good example would be Waiting for Forever, which we also watched this year). When I see a movie that's funny, has romance, but also doesn't shy away from the gritty parts of life, it's refreshing (akin to my thoughts above about The Descendants).
5. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows -- Many people (based on online reviews) seemed to dislike this movie, and I don't understand why -- because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps it's because I've never read any of the Arthur Conan Doyle books (and thus didn't have "anything to lose"), or because I went into the theater not expecting to be wowed, but to have a good and entertaining evening -- and that's what I got. This makes the list not because it was the best movie I saw in 2011, but the most recent and one of the most enjoyable. I watch films (like Tree of Life or The Descendants) for not only depth of story, but also for a good time -- and Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes always delivers the latter.
Thanksgiving just passed by, but there are still leftovers hanging around our fridge. I pretty much love the foods that go along with the holiday of Thanksgiving, my top three being turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry relish.
My brother-in-law, Chad, took the turkey preparations under his wing with Trevor as his culinary sidekick, and I must say, it was the best turkey we have ever had. Perfectly moist and flavorful. (Maybe he'll share the recipe he used in the comments?) I do know that it involved being stuffed with an apple-jalapeno mixture and apple cider as the base for gravy and basting. Mouth-watering.
But the cranberry relish was my baby this year. I experimented with a bourbon-cranberry recipe and got the big thumbs up. I couldn't actually find a recipe to my liking (or, which matched the ingredients I had on hand already), so I improvised my own. Wouldn't you know, it was better than the non-bourbon version.
I guess if you twist my arm I'll share the recipe.
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Bourbon Walnut Cranberry Goodness
1 package fresh cranberries (12 oz)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 to 1/2 cup bourbon (the quarter cup will give you a hint, but we used closer to 1/2 cup for more flavor)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix everything except for the nuts in a skillet and bring to a boil. Once sugar is dissolved and berries have popped, around 2-3 minutes at boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook another 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped walnuts. Chill at least an hour before serving.
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What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish? If you have a great recipe, share it in the comments!
The Story of Alyosha.
I graduated college in 2004. Afterward, I came home to Kentucky to be near family, get a job, and live on my own. But before I even had a job or a place to live, I had to get a dog. I've always loved dogs, and the day I spotted little Alyosha he was laying down quietly outside the Hamburg Petsmart along with other animals from the Franklin County Humane Society. He had been a stray, rescued off the streets, and estimated to be around 5 months old in July 2004. He was also estimated to be an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix. He looked like a little tiger to me, but I fell in love and adopted him. He was tiny, scared, got car-sick, and we both tried to adapt to our temporary home at my sister's house. He made his first friend with their dog, Bailey. While the shelter had called him "Jack," I renamed him Alyosha after a character in my favorite book, The Brothers Karamazov. We called him "Leo" for short.
Many nights I spent holding a whimpering Alyosha. He was nervous and wanted to be near his friend, Bailey. I spent several sleepless nights with him, imagining this was akin to how it felt sitting up at night with a fussy newborn. At times I shed tears of frustration at being thrown into this role as doggy-mommy. But his happy eyes and companionship made it worth it. Eventually we settled into our new home, on our own, just the two of us. He loved to look out the windows at the parking lot. He was attentive, alert, and a great guard dog. He also was naughty. He once stole a sandwich right out of my uncle's hand. In his puppy stage, I crated him. But one day I decided to test leaving him out of the cage at the apartment on his own. I came home to discover him on my bed, chomping on Euclid. Another day, I found he had taken my journal from my backpack travels around Europe and eaten the last 10 pages. It seems he had a thing for books and journals like his momma. Back to the crate it was...
... but he would not be contained. He soon earned the moniker "Houdini" for his amazing skills at escaping out of every crate. He also chewed through multiple enclosures. Finally we contained him with a crate-inside-a-crate system. But that puppy did not like to be locked up; he wanted to run free. He had a natural herding instinct, and whenever we let him run free, he'd dart back and forth in zig-zags, herding his imaginary sheep.
We moved in with Jennifer and two other gals for a year and so he had more girls to love on him. Jennifer dubbed him "Naughtykins" for his crazy antics. He loved to be the center of attention. He also obliged me by letting me do silly things with him, like hold him like a baby or dance with him in our living room.
When I embarked for Belarus for two years, my parents kindly took care of him. I knew a wintry, post-Soviet city landscape was no home for Alyosha. I knew that with his nervous disposition he wouldn't even get through the flight. So at home with my folks he stayed. More people to care for him and love him. My parents were nearly the only ones who were able to keep him calm enough to trim his toe nails. Getting his nails trimmed wasn't the only thing Alyosha didn't like; he hated cars and was always reluctant to ride in them.
When I came home in 2008, Alyosha took residence back up with me. I began to speak to him in Russian so that he understood Russian commands. He seemed more and more like his namesake, the passionate novice monk in the Brothers K: he often "fasted" and ate in moderation. That year he welcomed my friend Anya for the summer. He also welcomed Trevor, who began to be a fixture at our apartment. We had more fun experiences together, like riding on pontoon boats at the lake and traipsing in the snow.
After getting married, Alyosha's acceptance of Trevor in our house was seamless. But when we moved into our townhouse, something snapped, and he developed separation anxiety. He tore out drywall, dug up our carpets, tore down kitchen blinds, and ripped out trim by our front door... all in one day. Back to the crate it was...a 1" square metal cage with an "indestructible" floor. Naturally, Alyosha promptly destroyed the indestructible floor. We mounted the cage on plywood and that seemed to do the trick until he figured out how to get the door open. We resorted to padlocks and zip ties, only to have him eventually learn how to escape even with those fortifications. In the last few months, we simply let him escape, having figured out that all he really wanted to do was look out the window to wait for his momma and daddy to get home. We put an ottoman by our kitchen window so he could jump up and look out during the day.
Thanks to Alyosha's separation anxiety, he earned a new nickname: "Shadow." It seemed he could never let me leave the room without following at my heels. Other funny tidbits -- his fur was insane. His entire tail was like one long fro. You could pluck chunks of fur out of him at all times of the year. Yet as soon as you gave him a bath, he looked like a wet rat, all skin and bones. He loved to go on short walks, bark at larger male dogs, sniff inquisitively at the small dogs, lick your feet, curl up in a ball, lay in the sunshine, hide in our closet during thunderstorms, and dream of chasing rabbits (we assume based on his whimpering in his sleep). Once we took him down to High Bridge to meet Trevor's parents' Jack Russell and pugs. He didn't have a ton of puppy friends, but his loyalty to us was unwavering. He eagerly welcomed guests to our house, that is, after barking at them at their approach until he could smell them and know they were our friend. He was sensitive and alert at all times. He also loved to knaw on his bone just as we were about to fall asleep.
I've never seen a dog receive so many compliments. He was praised often for his good looks and charm, his good manners and keen intelligence. At only 7.5 years old, he left us much too soon. We loved him, and were grateful recipients of his doting love and loyalty. As we all know, each dog has a unique personality and Alyosha's was full to the brim with endearing quirks and complexities. He won't be replaced by any stretch of the imagination by any future dog we adopt, and we will continue to miss his furry companionship.
Previous blog posts about Alyosha can be found by clicking here.
Back in January, Trevor and I drafted goals for the year. One of my goals was to train for a half marathon. This year actually gave me the opportunity to complete my first half, ever. I debated whether to go for it, but when August rolled around, I decided to take the plunge and commit myself to running the Iron Horse Half in Midway, Kentucky on October 23. This past Sunday, I did just that.
Now, as an aside, a little more background: this week ended up being one of the most stressful weeks of my life. I was facing 3 midterms within a 24-hour period, I had commitments to celebrate my parents' birthdays which both fall in mid-October, and the half marathon was waiting for me on Sunday. Then Tuesday happened and the ceiling fell in. Something was wrong with our dog, Alyosha, and we took him to the vet only to find out hours later, he had inoperable cancer. Shockingly, we had to put him down and then drive out to High Bridge to bury him in the middle of a thunderstorm at dusk. It was the worst, unexpected curve ball to our week... and happened at completely the worst time. My already high stress week escalated 100 fold. I don't want to spend more space relaying the trauma of this event, because our dog deserves better. So we will be posting a tribute to our Lyo here at the blog in the near future; because he was just the best dog ever and it would be a great way to celebrate his time in our family.
Needless to say, Saturday night rolled around, and I was spent mentally and emotionally and physically. I couldn't even keep my eyes open at 9pm. So I went to bed exhausted, not anticipating a good race day on Sunday.
It was an early morning at dawn in Midway outside the quaint Darlin' Jean's Apple Cobbler Cafe.
I was braving the 40 degree temps, trying to get pumped up for the big race.
Eventually we had to get in line for the start...
...and soon we were off down a lovely tree-lined street into horse farm countryside!
This race course was great. So picturesque: tree-lined, horse farms with plenty of horses as onlookers... but there were some long, drawn-out hills which kept it challenging!
Here I am, running back through the town at almost the halfway point, 6 miles in.
Around mile 10, it was getting tough. I was keeping a lively pace (for me -- I still watched as four friends passed me going the opposite direction after the turnaround I still had not reached...) and there were hills aplenty. I thought to myself, I might have to walk here for a minute! But my stubborn mule self wouldn't let me... so I pressed on with the help of my friends Switchfoot and Flogging Molly playing in my ears.
It sure was exciting when we rounded the corner to head back to Main Street, passing the "13 mile" sign, with only a tenth to go! I rounded the corner and sprinted to the finish. Trevor was on the sidelines snapping photos, along with my parents, my sister, brother-in-law, and niece to cheer me on!
(photo by Karen)
Clock time was under 2:15, but my chip time ended up at 2:14:07, a 10:14 pace! Here's my dailymile recap.
I was elated at such a great pace for my first half marathon! So elated I kissed my finisher's medal!
And of course, my BIGGEST supporter of all... this handsome guy!
Trevor has been amazing this week. Encouraging me through the stress of everything, sharing in the devastation of losing Alyosha, and then waking up early with me to see me off for my half and cheer me at the finish. (It sure doesn't hurt that he's willing to give me back and leg massages for my weary runner's muscles.) I couldn't have done it without him. While it's nice to have running partners, it's even better to have someone who believes in you, encourages you, and is there for you in all of life. I love him!
Photos
Updates
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@danott -- Celebrating @noahjacobus' birthday and remembering the last time we ate here with you. http://t.co/uHDz9BeX
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Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring…banana-phone: http://t.co/HqTUJSR0
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I know @krisde will agree with this article as well: http://t.co/VotzvewP
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This starts the day off right: http://t.co/3IDpPobp
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This is my kind of winter snow -- lots of accumulation on the trees and ground, but clear roads for driving. Count me in.
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Morning work = "reading emails" -- http://t.co/nj1whQ9u
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The amount of money that the presidential hopefuls are raising, just to campaign, makes me a little sick to my stomach.
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The Artist was so very good. That Jack Russell deserves an Oscar for best-supporting canine.
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Two good questions to ask in a group setting, and from a personal perspective, too: http://t.co/nXbURULn
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@Amy_Thornberry -- Overall, I'm not familiar enough with their stuff to give you a concrete stance…only the snippets I've had here/there.
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@Amy_Thornberry -- I think Furtick is especially vulnerable to that. I believe Matt Chandler's message @ the event was spot on.
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@Amy_Thornberry -- I don't have much experience w/ the church or Furtick. I worry about Christian pastor celebrity and what stems from that.
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@brad_bramer @milesmeehan -- …and character-limited conversation like this on Twitter.
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@brad_bramer @milesmeehan -- Faithfulness to the Gospel begins with us (our words, our deeds). But I am thankful we can have a brief...
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@Amy_Thornberry -- My broad reaction is that you can't plan/program a revival. I can't say anything about the speakers specifically.
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@brad_bramer -- James 1:2-4 and Jeremiah 6:13-15 came to my mind as I watched the video.
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@brad_bramer -- I just wonder what happens when people are taught to expect "God's best" and what happens is life's worst.
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@KarenBow -- There's some Advil in my desk drawer in my office if you need it.
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@danott -- Dude, they're saying you're going to get between 12-18 inches of snow!
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See you over there!
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Today is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent -- a season dedicated to fasting and prayer leading up to Easter.
There are many Christian traditions and practices that accompany this time -- some being shared throughout the branches and denominations, some specific to their respective doers. The most common is fasting -- whether that be abstaining from food (on a certain day, or for the whole period of Lent), or giving up some other thing (a luxury or vice).
Whatever one may choose to practice, the focus should remain on the inner being. Acts of fasting and prayer should not be done purely for aesthetics or ritual, but to bring to one's understanding a dependency we all have of God for His provision. As Jesus was tested for forty-days in the wilderness, so we conform ourselves to that trial and suffering to look, be, and live like Him in this world.
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Just as Advent can be a somber time (a yearning and waiting for the coming of the Messiah) -- so too the season of Lent, which moves us towards the Cross, and thus sin, suffering, judgment, wrath, forsakenness, and finally death.
Yet, as we humble ourselves and move into this time of darkness, a light shines through. We walk the Calvary road so that we might witness the Sunday Resurrection.
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For those not familiar with the traditions and rituals inherent to the assembling of those of the Catholic faith, this article talks about some "freshness" sneaking in.
My favorite part of the article, that sparked some thoughts forthcoming, is:
[Parishioners] talk about whether the Mass should be a vertical or horizontal experience...horizontal, making the Mass increasingly about community and fellowship within the congregation...vertical [focusing] on the transcendent and divine.
To which I cannot help but say:
Both
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It seems to me, from what I understand of Scripture, that the fellowship of the saints was meant to incorporate both of these elements -- community and worship. While both can happen separately (privately), there is a corporate need for them as well.
What made a smile come across my face is the fact that, like it or not, it seems that the Church is becoming "one" again. There is a viral effect, it seems, with people being transplanted across the barriers once so strong.
Some Protestants are being moved towards Catholicism and are bringing with them the aspects of individuality/personality and community (not that this was previously lacking, of course). In the same vein, former Catholics are embracing Protestantism and incorporating the liturgical elements of worship.
I think it's wonderful. It's almost as if God is engaging in a little clever subterfuge.
Here's to unity!
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5 months ago this photo probably wouldn't have been as endearing to me. Life experiences, however, have changed me from a lonely, depressed, pessimistic loner to a man seeking after relationship, love, community, joy, and hope. For that, I thank God.
Being now on the other side of the fence (and thus, having been a part of both worlds), as well as -- for the moment -- experiencing a sort of "separation anxiety" from the one I care about, has given me quite the perspective.
I can now see why "happy" people are so elated.
In turn, I've tasted something good and can understand what "sad" people are missing (what I was longing for).
It draws a certain empathy from my heart. Gives me a yearning for others to experience this connection and the exuberance that results. I long for others to be whole.
I have realized that reconciliation comes through community. It is not always with a significant other, but it is never alone. There is a time for solitude -- but the breadth of life was meant to be experienced in tangent.
It has taken me twenty-three years (three of those, most specifically) to find my place in a community of people who love and value me. To build relationships that, in turn, build into me. Granted, it's not perfect -- and I personally cause my fair share of problems. But it's good...and for that I am thankful.
To those who might read this blog -- I urge you to connect. If you currently find yourself alone -- living life without some sort of camaraderie -- fight against that. Resist the urge to go deeper into yourself -- I've been there, and the results are disastrous.
Take small steps towards finding kinship. Whatever that looks like, move towards it. Don't force it. Be patient and try to enjoy it as it comes.
I can remember crying out to God three years ago for three specific points of relationship in my life. I am just now getting to the place where each of those three are truly building into something.
Of course, I am not guaranteed tomorrow (none of us are) -- but that will not stop me from enjoying the fruit of the day.
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{Photo via *Longbrake}
{If you enjoy his images, buy 'em!}
{John Halton, BHT}
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Is this something that we, regardless of denominational background or current disposition can come around? Can we unite as saints of the Faith and children of the Father under this declaration?
Can this be our word to the world?
{Erica Jong}
{Found via *Longbrake}
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What/Who do you love?
WHY?
For those who are interested in participating in Lent this season, the following resources might be beneficial. May the Lord bless you on your journey!
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: A Slate article talks about the Protestant/Catholic division and "re-unification." A good read for those who are not necessarily well-versed on basic tradition and the separation that exists in regards to Lent.
: All About Lent is a nice introduction to the various particulars of Lent, with a plethora of resources.
: Praying Lent has a wealth of liturgical items for the six-week trek.
{All links found via Internet Monk}
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The band performs their entire new album. Simply spectacular.
{Note: Due to the length/file-size, it may take a while to load if you are not on a broadband connection}
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't.
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Do you agree with her conclusion?
I have been reading a lot of Cerulean Sanctum lately. It has become one of my favorite blogs because it challenges me and, while there have been times where that call to action has seemed difficult and frustrating, it has been a good experience to this point.
Today I came across this article and it got me thinking. I have been a proponent for the ascetic lifestyle, but often times my actions do not prove my convictions.
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What does it look like to live lighter?
Is it the same for all people, all situations?
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I feel the desire, and see the benefits, of living on less. The opening up of doors for charity. The ability to move quickly and easily if the Lord so desires. The freedom from worrying about and taking care of stuff.
In my own life, I need to discern how much is too much.
Maybe, more accurately, I need to figure out how much is enough.
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Is there anything, material or otherwise, that you can/should part with in your life?
I'll be seeing this gentleman, along with Grizzly Bear, in April at the MusicNOW festival. Totally psyched.
I read this article a while back, but I was recently reminded of it and thought it might be a fun "challenge" for anyone who happens across this post.
Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For sale: baby shoes, never worn.") and is said to have called it his best work.
My request to you, dear reader -- is to post in the comments your six-word story.
Feel free to post as many as you want. (Note: I will edit/delete any inappropriate material).
I'll start us off:
His heart pounded quickly, then stopped.
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I've been wanting to check out more documentaries/indie films as of late. Not that mainstream-Hollywood is incapable of satisfying my movie tastes...but, I've found a lot of truth, beauty, and enjoyment at the "art house" theatre we have in town.
Are there any low-budget, indie, or non-mainstream movies you're interested in seeing?
{From Internet Monk}
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While I don't always agree with the assertion that we must always take radical/extreme steps in our Christian faith for our, or others', benefit -- I can agree that there exists few men and women who lead by example.
If Godly people are not stepping up to use their influence for good, what hope is there for future discipleship? Worse yet, if no such people even exist (in great numbers) one must wonder the state of the Church (in America, specifically).
Do you have anyone of influence over you -- who challenges you with their words and deeds?
After the laugh from the last post, a quick punch-in-my-gut followed:
The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.
{Soren Kierkegaard}
{Found via Cerulean Sanctum/The Thinklings}
I know it's a rip-off, but it's quite possibly one of the funniest things I've seen in a while. (And great production value, too!)
Thanks to BHT for the link.
An honest review of trees -- pointing out their pros and cons.
I am, personally, for them.
When talking about homosexuality, he said:
So what I'm advocating is for us, first, to acknowledge that good Christians disagree.
And I think this quote is expressive of any topic of discourse between Christians or non-believers. We have to realize that there are so many differing views and that they are often held by wise, mature, loving people committed to Jesus and His vision for the world.
In all of the recent arguments I've seen raised within the Christian community, the lack of personal respect for each other has been saddening.
Brian makes a good point when talking about relations with Muslims (that has wider appeal to all disagreements):
[W]hen we create stereotypes of people and when we are ready to call a person an enemy and have nothing to do with them, at that point we are being unfaithful to Jesus Christ.
Even if Brian McLaren is wrong in his beliefs, even if he is an enemy of Christ, we are admonished by Jesus' very words to show him love --
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. {Matthew 5:44-45}
And how did Jesus show love to His enemies?
Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--if you continue in your faith... {Colossians 1:21-23a, emphasis mine}
Are we willing to love those who are different from us?
What does this love look like?
I think it's an important read because I continue to see Christians who are not wholly satisfied with their current experience of faith (in many facets) -- but I think we often have a naive idealism when it comes to breaking the norm.
Our spiritual growth and satisfaction might not come through the current circumstances, but rushing headlong into new adventures isn't necessarily a sure fix.
In all things, we must take steps of faith -- relying upon the Living God who still speaks to us, still guides us, still moves and grows us.
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This article also speaks to me personally because I just made a shift in my own living conditions -- becoming part of an apartment community (living in the same building as four other friends) and living with a roommate. Already, in the first few weeks, I have learned numerous lessons.
Potential is certainly there, but this -- like any new experience -- is not an appropriate avenue for everyone.
Make wise choices in where you live, with whom, and how you spend your resources and the benefits will greatly survive the challenges.
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Edit: For those living in Lexington and interested in communal-living, check out Communality. I was privileged to spend some time with them about a year-or-so ago and the experience was definitely inspiring and effectual.
Seth Godin has a great post on judgment. His argument is that having perspective of a person's beliefs can help you deal effectively with conflict. He aims to explain a marketing position, but I think it translates just as well to personal relationships.
He says:
If I believed what you believe, I'd probably be acting exactly the same way you are right now.
Our beliefs, at their core, are really just dispositions to seeing something a certain way. If we better understand what other people believe, right or wrong, we have a chance to "put ourselves in their shoes."
Why is this perspective important? Seth goes on to say:
If I can help change what you believe, I bet I can change your actions as well.
We want our relationships to work. So, when conflicts arise -- generally always related to someone's belief about some thing -- our best interest is to alter a belief (in ourself, or the other person).
By putting ourselves in their position, we have a much greater chance of remaining patient, understanding the overall situation, and eventually effectively reaching our desired conclusion.
From Boar's Head Tavern:
“When we see that the whole sum of our salvation, and every single part of it, are comprehended in Christ, we must beware of deriving even the minutest portion of it from any other quarter. If we seek salvation, we are taught by the very name of Jesus that he possesses it; if we seek any other gifts of the Spirit, we shall find them in his unction; strength in his government; purity in his conception; indulgence in his nativity, in which he was made like us in all respects, in order that he might learn to sympathize with us: if we seek redemption, we shall find it in his passion; acquittal in his condemnation; remission of the curse in his cross; satisfaction in his sacrifice; purification in his blood; reconciliation in his descent to hell; mortification of the flesh in his sepulcher; newness of life in his resurrection; immortality also in his resurrection; the inheritance of a celestial kingdom in his entrance into heaven; protection, security, and the abundant supply of all blessings, in his kingdom; secure anticipation of judgment in the power of judging committed to him. In fine, since in him all kinds of blessings are treasured up, let us draw a full supply from him, and none from any other quarter. Those who, not satisfied with him alone, entertain various hopes from others, though they may continue to look to him chiefly, deviate from the right path by the simple fact, that some portion of their thought takes a different direction. No distrust of this description can arise when once the abundance of his blessings is properly known.”
{John Calvin, *Institutes*, Bk 2 Ch 16 Paragraph 19}
I have seen you in various stages of undress.
I have seen you through various states of madness.
I have seen your refractions and I did not recognize you.
I have seen you in various states of madness.
How high your highest of heights...How low are your lows...
How high your highest of heights...How low are your lows...
I am sorry I had nothing left for you.
My mind was willing and my spirit was strong.
My lips were tired and tightened from singing along.
My eyelids are heavy as anchors thrown over.
How high your highest of heights...How low are your lows...
How high your highest of heights...How low are your lows...
I have seen you in the eyes of a hundred thousand other stranger faces.
I have seen you in unlikely and unfamiliar places.
I have seen you be reckless in matters of love.
I have seen by degrees the boiling point come and go.
How high your highest of heights...How low are your lows...
How high your highest of heights...How low are your lows...
What lies at the end of this long and dark and twisted road?
How high your highest of heights...How low are your lows...
I have seen you in various stages of undress.
I have seen you through various states of madness.
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I see more than one love-relationship I've been in when searching the lyrics of this song. Funny how something so unique as two people coming together can result in experiences shared by many others...sometimes by people you've never met (but that are going through, or have walked, the same path).
As I was listening to this song tonight, I thought about the love of God towards me, towards humanity. And, I wondered --
Is there not a madness in the way God loves us?
This is not to pass judgment. Not to condemn God's love using my own definitions. But -- it seems to me like there is an amazing recklessness there. Highs and lows. Emptiness. Vulnerability. Confusion. Mystery.
And yet, in all of this, shaping a song as a testament to the experience of love. Of this madness, this recklessness, comes a song. Music instead of silence. Creativity. Beauty.
Reciprocity. Reflection.
And so, we see ourselves tangled in the web of love. We cannot escape it -- whether it is our own or another's.
{Carl Sagan}
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Go, now, and find that something, somewhere. And do well to make sure you've found that right thing. Otherwise, a tumultuous life awaits you.
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So, I adjure you by the words of the great thinker C.S. Lewis:
What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step.
A wonderful fan-made video for a beautiful song.
I'll say (hopefully without "ruining" the effect) that the style of this video (especially the final scene) reminded me of Michel Gondry's work (particularly from "The Science of Sleep").
The album can take a moment to grow on you -- mostly due to the varying styles of music and vocal work throughout. However, for those who stick with it, a sure treat awaits.
One thing I have noticed, and am starting to understand a bit better with repeat hearings, is the sometimes dark/melancholy songwriting. Even in tracks with upbeat music, the lyrics can be depressed -- speaking to what I imagine are times of hurt in the lyricist's own life.I can understand why "The Reminder" has been featured on numerous top-10 lists for best album of 2007...it offers more every time you play it.
