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Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
You haven't heard this one yet...
The majesty of creation is visible everywhere. The tranquilty of nature, the beauty of relationships, and the little flutters of joy we experience each day are examples.
Even more significant are examples of the Gospel that appear. God has an amazing way of repeating examples of this story everywhere in creation and if we're not careful we just may miss it. Science has revealed to me the beauty of creation and the story of the Gospel more than once...it's one of the reasons I love biology so much. The following story again leaves me awestruck at God's craftmanship of creation.
It starts with the human immune system. The immune system contains various cells such as B-cells, T-cells, and the rarely seen antigen presenting cell (APC). This cell is so rare it can rarely be found...let alone photographed...this image is the first image that was ever taken of this cell.
Big deal, right? Just a cell...let me explain how this cell works.
In order for your immune system to attack a foreign body, kill it, and save you, it must first recognize an invader. This cell, the APC, recognizes invading viruses. It engulfs them and then covers itself in the virus protein. The other immune cells then recognize the APC as a virus and kill it. They now know how to recognize invaders and go on to save you from death.
Did you miss it?
Let's recap.
Pristine, pefectly health APC cell comes across a virus. It then takes on the virus, literally covers itself with it, becomes the virus, and then dies to save our lives.
Jesus, perfect man, Son of God comes to our broken world of sin. He takes on our sin and dies for us on the cross so we may have eternal life.
This is how our immune systems are designed.
There is no God? There is no creator? The gospel is a fairy tale?
ARE YOU KIDDING?!
The way our bodies protect us against attack is modeled after the Gospel that saves our souls.
God is amazing.
Even more significant are examples of the Gospel that appear. God has an amazing way of repeating examples of this story everywhere in creation and if we're not careful we just may miss it. Science has revealed to me the beauty of creation and the story of the Gospel more than once...it's one of the reasons I love biology so much. The following story again leaves me awestruck at God's craftmanship of creation.
It starts with the human immune system. The immune system contains various cells such as B-cells, T-cells, and the rarely seen antigen presenting cell (APC). This cell is so rare it can rarely be found...let alone photographed...this image is the first image that was ever taken of this cell.
Big deal, right? Just a cell...let me explain how this cell works.
In order for your immune system to attack a foreign body, kill it, and save you, it must first recognize an invader. This cell, the APC, recognizes invading viruses. It engulfs them and then covers itself in the virus protein. The other immune cells then recognize the APC as a virus and kill it. They now know how to recognize invaders and go on to save you from death.
Did you miss it?
Let's recap.
Pristine, pefectly health APC cell comes across a virus. It then takes on the virus, literally covers itself with it, becomes the virus, and then dies to save our lives.
Jesus, perfect man, Son of God comes to our broken world of sin. He takes on our sin and dies for us on the cross so we may have eternal life.
This is how our immune systems are designed.
There is no God? There is no creator? The gospel is a fairy tale?
ARE YOU KIDDING?!
The way our bodies protect us against attack is modeled after the Gospel that saves our souls.
God is amazing.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Thriving and surviving
What exaclty does each of those words mean in my daily life?
Are we always expected to be thriving? Is it ok to survive? I believe that God expects us to struggle, to barely crawl, or sometimes just to lean on Him. However, when I think of the word survive...a dark cloud drifts in. It doesn't seem appropriate to ever just survive.
Is there a middle ground?
I think the answer is no. However, I know the human perspective is limited and this seems to be a case in which that matters. Do we understand God's definition of thriving and surviving?
Webster defines "to thrive" as follows:
(1) to grow vigorously
(2) to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
(3) to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances —often used with on
and defines "to survive:
(1) to remain alive or in existence : live on
(2) to continue to function or prosper
This year is rough...I've often classified my state as surving.. Along with this has come a nagging sense of guilt that I'm not being faithful to what God has asked me to do; or, more often, guilty of having a bad attitude and not approaching life with joy. I've felt as though God has called us to a life in which we thrive and that I was failing.
I think my definition is wrong. I defined thriving as feeling energetic, adventerous, significant, showing obvious growth, or being optimisitic. I also defined it as feeling in control and independent...which is the opposite of what this year has been. I've been more dependent on the help of others, support of others, and encouragement by my friends and family then ever before. I've also felt maddenly out of control.
How can I be thriving?
But then I stopped. I reflected and I asked God to perform a miracle. It was a bad day and I was spent. He spoke...finally. Thriving means to grow vigourously or to progress towards a goal.
Yes, I want to be a successful professional and good teacher. But it's not the ultimate goal. I want to be a woman of God. I've learned more through this year of trail then any other time in my life.
I've learned to lean...minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.
I've learned to trust...I don't know why I'm here or if I'm even contributing at all, but God wants me here...so I'll trust him.
I've learned to be loved. Everyone I love is far away...and the people here are often downright mean or distant. I have to trust that God loves me no matter what and that it can be enough for me.
I'm very stubborn and independent. Some of those I've trusted most have wounded me the worst in my life. God is not a person, I know He is perfect, but that doesn't make it easier to remember these things in the darkest moments.
Thank goodness there is grace.
Are we always expected to be thriving? Is it ok to survive? I believe that God expects us to struggle, to barely crawl, or sometimes just to lean on Him. However, when I think of the word survive...a dark cloud drifts in. It doesn't seem appropriate to ever just survive.
Is there a middle ground?
I think the answer is no. However, I know the human perspective is limited and this seems to be a case in which that matters. Do we understand God's definition of thriving and surviving?
Webster defines "to thrive" as follows:
(1) to grow vigorously
(2) to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper
(3) to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances —often used with on
and defines "to survive:
(1) to remain alive or in existence : live on
(2) to continue to function or prosper
This year is rough...I've often classified my state as surving.. Along with this has come a nagging sense of guilt that I'm not being faithful to what God has asked me to do; or, more often, guilty of having a bad attitude and not approaching life with joy. I've felt as though God has called us to a life in which we thrive and that I was failing.
I think my definition is wrong. I defined thriving as feeling energetic, adventerous, significant, showing obvious growth, or being optimisitic. I also defined it as feeling in control and independent...which is the opposite of what this year has been. I've been more dependent on the help of others, support of others, and encouragement by my friends and family then ever before. I've also felt maddenly out of control.
How can I be thriving?
But then I stopped. I reflected and I asked God to perform a miracle. It was a bad day and I was spent. He spoke...finally. Thriving means to grow vigourously or to progress towards a goal.
Yes, I want to be a successful professional and good teacher. But it's not the ultimate goal. I want to be a woman of God. I've learned more through this year of trail then any other time in my life.
I've learned to lean...minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.
I've learned to trust...I don't know why I'm here or if I'm even contributing at all, but God wants me here...so I'll trust him.
I've learned to be loved. Everyone I love is far away...and the people here are often downright mean or distant. I have to trust that God loves me no matter what and that it can be enough for me.
I'm very stubborn and independent. Some of those I've trusted most have wounded me the worst in my life. God is not a person, I know He is perfect, but that doesn't make it easier to remember these things in the darkest moments.
Thank goodness there is grace.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
There just isn't enough time to reflect on the myriad of events, interactions, and frustrations that occur each day in my classroom, with administration, and in the hallway.
Sometimes it's enough to just want to throw in the towel. I get lost in which battle I'm trying to fight.
I cam here for one battle...these kids are more likely to drop-out then go to college. Most of them cannot read at grade level...math is even worse. They have to resist gangs, teen pregnancy, chaotic homes, abuse, neglect, hunger, betrayl from those who are supposed to care for them, and who knows what else. Some of their parents are a mere four or five years older then I. They need help, advocates, love, care, attention, devotion, and someone who can tell them they can make it and push them to get there. Many people make resolution and give up when the road gets tough...same with these kids. It's hard...a battle...constant and draining.
But that was all I expected. I didn't expect for my principal to tell me I didn't care and that it was evident, that I had poor regard for classroom management, that I didn't know how to lesson plan, that I made to many copies, that I didn't write dark enough on the chalkboard, that my room was disorganized, and all the other accusations I have felt.
I didn't expect parents response to my phone calls to be "she said your class is boring and she doesn't like science" or "he got all C's so I bought him an iphone".
What battle do I even fight? I'm fighting to survive the work week...thoughts of thriving have been long gone.
But am I even fighting for these kids anymore? My principal is the reason the school is failing...without a doubt. But she runs us...what do we do?
If it's anything like the last two years 50% of the staff will quit...the kids will lose stability...again. Collaboration will fail, commradrie will fail, and the cycle will continue.
ugh.
Sometimes it's enough to just want to throw in the towel. I get lost in which battle I'm trying to fight.
I cam here for one battle...these kids are more likely to drop-out then go to college. Most of them cannot read at grade level...math is even worse. They have to resist gangs, teen pregnancy, chaotic homes, abuse, neglect, hunger, betrayl from those who are supposed to care for them, and who knows what else. Some of their parents are a mere four or five years older then I. They need help, advocates, love, care, attention, devotion, and someone who can tell them they can make it and push them to get there. Many people make resolution and give up when the road gets tough...same with these kids. It's hard...a battle...constant and draining.
But that was all I expected. I didn't expect for my principal to tell me I didn't care and that it was evident, that I had poor regard for classroom management, that I didn't know how to lesson plan, that I made to many copies, that I didn't write dark enough on the chalkboard, that my room was disorganized, and all the other accusations I have felt.
I didn't expect parents response to my phone calls to be "she said your class is boring and she doesn't like science" or "he got all C's so I bought him an iphone".
What battle do I even fight? I'm fighting to survive the work week...thoughts of thriving have been long gone.
But am I even fighting for these kids anymore? My principal is the reason the school is failing...without a doubt. But she runs us...what do we do?
If it's anything like the last two years 50% of the staff will quit...the kids will lose stability...again. Collaboration will fail, commradrie will fail, and the cycle will continue.
ugh.
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