episcopal…

i really enjoy the richness of the writings of the saints that have gone before us.  that list includes everybody from Nouwen to Mother Theresa to Merton to de Sales.  currently, most everything I read is related to school.  and I find most of it compelling, especially a book that highlights the tradition of spiritual direction throughout the major chrisitan traditions.  this week we’re looking at the episocopalian tradition.  i have some history in the episcopal church…and like the tradition.  therefore, this chapter is interesting.  in conversation about the literary works of past theologians,  the author writes “…trying to live in a mental frame of reference from several centrueis back is bad for you.  spiritual maturity involves making some sort of treaty with present-day reality, including cultivating the ability to discern the presence of God within our own intellectual terms.”    In other words, who, today, is writing stuff that provokes the church for an answer, puts people on edge about how they are living their life, and sparks the care of others like they did in the past?  (I have some thoughts about this, but will wait to see what others might say.)

I don’t enjoy Max Lucado and the like.  However, I have read several books that rank really close to the works of old.  with the rise of the Shack, I wonder if we’ll see more writing in narrative form because it tends to be more relevant.

i think I’ll always long for a conversation with Thomas Merton.

jon foreman

spent some itunes gift $$ tonight. loving jon foreman!  doubt i’ll make it to the concert on Thursday night at the Variety Playhouse.  However…. it might be worth staying up all night to finish reading for class this weekend?  should I or should I not?  that is the question.

hi/lo for sunday and monday

SUNDAY
hi: yard clean-up palooza with the messiah boys at my mema and pepal’s.  those boys were showing nothing but love.  they were hard-core with raking and blowing leaves.  seriously- it was a beautiful day.  they were so kind to my memal and both she and pepal were just delighted with our drop in outpouring of love.  also, we had our first student gathering at the well.   had a blast.  a great start!  cool students!  l’m just overwhelmed with the day.  i saw Beauty and God at work with every experience in the day.  

MONDAY
hi: creative planning meeting with andy and kyle for an upcoming series 
lo: not getting my reading done until 1 am.  with a wake up of 6:15 am.  urgh.  i’ve got to be more disciplined on Mondays.

what a word.

Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance. And as we leave this mountain top, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. 

- Rev. Joseph Lowery,
from his inaugural benediction, Jan. 20, 2009.

hi and lo

I’m convinced that every day has something in it to celebrate…  no matter how seemingly insignificant.
hi:  i got ahead in my reading for an intensive class scheduled next weekend.
lo:  not understanding/knowing what i did that hurt her feelings

hi and lo

Mark Yaconelli introduced me to a from of contemplative prayer a few years ago at NYWC.  It’s simple really.  Just think back to the first part of your day and journey through it pointing out where you saw God.  I do it fairly often.  But, recently a good friend of mine introduced me to another great way to reflect on my day.  She daily records her hi’s and lo’s in her journal.  I’ve started. One day it’ll be a great way to look back at the journey.  But, for now, I’m going to try my best to blog them as well.  Let’s face it- I’ve not been so regular at blogging lately so maybe this’ll help.  Here goes…

hi: taking a walk this evening, stars were spectacular, saw a shooting star
lo: having cramps most of the day,

hodge-podge.

i guess since it’s been so long since i’ve posted, it would be wise to update about all the things going on in life, or at least all the things I can think of at this moment.  and like most things- it’s better in list form.

• i’ve had a sinus and ear infection for nearly 2 weeks.  
• i’m currently trying to get over a stomach bug.
• school starts next week and I’ve not yet done my reading.
• 2009 has arrived.
• tomorrow I’m doing a training for douglasville first umc youth workers.  thinking it might be weird to go back to my first church as a full time youth worker- I mean really- I was so young!  but, then on the other hand- it should be lots of fun.  it’s my 2nd paid youthworker gig since I left full time ministry.
• saw the movie seven pounds today.  i’m not really sure if I have the words to communicate how brilliant it was.  it’s rare for your soul to be touched in such a vunerable way.  it reminds me i’m alive and why i’m here.
• spent last weekend with ringgold umc youth leadership team.  GREAT bunch of kids.  enjoyed watching kevin at work- he’s great at what he does.  they have a lot of good going on there.  the students decided that they wanted one of their weekly meetings to completely focused on missions and service.  impressive!
• i’ve worked this week for my mom and my dad.  made some money!   this is a good thing….  cause the pot is nearly dry.  
• paid $267 to get my brakes worked on.
• touched by the Spirit at the Ryman in downtown Nashville during the Behold the Lamb concert
• finished up Alias, season 5
• got a sonic care toothbrush for christmas- phenomenal!
• enjoyed some great time with my mom, ma gapp, and denise!
• watched Landon experience  a huge growth spurt

update to-do list

done: 5, 8, 9, 15, 17, 18

working on: 2, 10, 11, 20

moving to christmas break list:  1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 19  

not too shabby.

pseudonym

perhaps Hickom is a pseudonym for “makes things more difficult than they should be”. so far around this holiday, this is the first lesson I’ve learned from my family.  it won’t be the last!

things to do on thanksgiving break

1. put the roof rack on my car so I can get it out of mom’s bushes.
2. clean up my itunes situation
3. clean out my closet
4. make a pumpkin roll
5. spend at least one day in my pajamas watching movies all day
6. clean the ceiling fan in my room
7. adjust the rug in my room so as to eliminate its crookedness
8. make a display for the Bahamas mission trip that the Well is taking this summer.
9. update my netflix que
10. check on syllabi and order books for next semester
11. revise literary review for methods of research
12. write a reflection paper for personal and spiritual life
13. move my houseplants inside
14. fix the drawers on my dresser
15. develop study guide for ethics test
16. find somebody to explain ANOVAs to me
17. finish thanksgiving cards
18. survive the trip to jacksonville
19. catch up on my Paste and Relevant magazines
20. make a list for Christmas break that I didn’t get done from this list