Top 10 Photos of 2010...

Old Man at Inch Abbey

Astronomical Clock

Olaf Barn

St. Patrick Cathedral 

Graffiti Jesus

All Star 

Charles Bridge and Prague Castle at Dusk

Matt 

Peter

Morning on Charles Bridge 

WHAT I'VE BEEN READING...

dIn my last post I mentioned one of my love/hate relationships with school... juggling so many classes. Reading falls into this same category. I find myself reading 7 books at the same time, which for some may not be a problem. For me it is. They are  all so interesting and hold a wealth of information but I struggle to read these books well. If I have to read a book fast, I miss a lot of gems and if I read at a speed that allows me to really connect with the book, I won't finish it in the allotted time. However I enjoyed all the books I read for this semester, so I thought I'd share incase anyone is looking for a new book to read.

1. Revelation: I read four commentaries for my Revelation class.  Craig Koester's Revelation and the End of All Things, Apocalypse and Allegiance by J. Nelson Karybill,  Eugene Peterson's Reversed Thunder and The Theology of the Book of Revelation by Richard Bauckham. Revelation is a seemingly daunting book, but after this class and after reading these books, I find it a shame that the book of Revelation is not taught more by churches today. There are a lot of different views about Revelation, but these books go into great detail of the history and background of when the book was written and who it was written too. Koesters book is a 'big picture' book, it gives the whole of everything from background to every chapter details. Kraybill's book is much more historically focused, in which his opinion helps in understanding what John of Patmos was writing. Reversed Thunder was more like a devotional reading, that was driving more of the application of Revelation to Christians today, and Bauckum is a very detailed and wordy account of the book. All were interesting!

2. For my Evangelism and Discipleship class we read four books. Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World by Rebecca Pippert, More Ready Than You Realize by Brian Mclaren, The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman and Growing True Disciples by George Barna. Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World and The Master Plan of Evangelism were definitely my two favorites from the class. I had read Coleman's book before, but it was great to look at it again. Essentially it describes Jesus' structure to his ministry and how it useful for outreaching and discipling ministries today.

3. In Art History I read two books one by Ross King called Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling, a very well rounded look into the history around the painting of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling and the people involved. The other was The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen. This was a personal reflection by Nouwen and what the story of the Prodigal Son meant to him, all inspired by Rembrandt's famous painting.



4. FREE READING! This semester because of other books and projects and school work I didn't get to read as much as I hoped. I did read Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken with letters from C.S Lewis. This is by far one of the best love stories I've ever read. It's a beautiful account of a husband and wife and the love they share as friends, lovers and eventually they come to know the Lord and find a true lasting love in Him.  Definitely shed a few tears while reading this one!

LOVE / HATE RELATIONSHIPS...

I have a love / hate relationship with being a student. There are a number of reasons for this, but I've been thinking about one in particular this past semester. As a student I get to take interesting classes from brilliant professors, an opportunity that doesn't come around everyday... this is the love part. As a liberal arts student I'm juggling different subjects with 5,000 processes and new concepts that all deserve ample amount of attention...but receive half the attention due... this is the hate part. I still learn A LOT a long the way, but I just think if I could focus on two maybe three classes (in the same subject realm) it would be wonderful, and there would be a whole lot more depth than breadth to what I am learning. There is just so much offered at a liberal arts university... some that is required that can turn a semester into misery! On the other hand it's tempting to take all the classes in the communications, political science, history, peace studies, music, theology departments (and so many others not mentioned) because they are at the tips of my finger...literally with one click I could be in whatever class I want! Anyway, all I'm trying to say is that school provides this wonderful predicament of so much to learn, and sometimes it can be exhausting (like my past semester) ... Still I am so thankful for this wonderful gift of education!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY POP...

"Happy... Birthday, Happy... Birthday, 

  Happy ... Birthday, Happy ... Birthday, 

Well they say it's your birthday, happy birthday to you!

May the good Lord bless you

Happy birthday day to you!" -PK

Happy Birthday dad!
Love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO...

All little brothers have their moments of pushing their big sister's buttons...Jonathan and I are never like that... ok well maybe sometimes... But I must say I have an amazing and very talented younger brother! I may have to tell him "STOP IT JONATHAN!" or he may have to say "STOP IT LAUREN!" but when it comes down to it we love each other and for that I am thankful. Love you and Happy 14th Johnny Boy!

Community

"Love cannot exist in isolation: away from others, love bloats into pride. Grace cannot be received privately: cut off from others it is perverted into greed. Hope cannot develop in solitude: separated from the community, it goes to seed in the form of fantasies. No gift, no virtue can develop and remain healthy apart from the community of faith." - Eugene Peterson in Reversed Thunder

Silent Night : Foy Vance and Duke Special

A 'Special' Christmas treat by Northern Irish Singers Foy Vance and Duke Special!

My Day With Duke

 

A number of years ago, while I was in Northern Ireland, I was introduced to the tunes of Duke Special. Little did I know that one day I would be driving to the airport to pick him up for a house concert in our living room!

Initially I wasn’t that keen on Duke’s music. Possibly because of his thick accent (I hadn’t learned to appreciate the Northern Irish accent at this point) but mostly because I hadn’t heard anything like it before. Sometimes I like a song or band right at the start, but I have found with some of my very favorite music I have had to allow room for growth and appreciation. Duke Special is one of those that took me a bit of time and I’m realizing part of this is because of the depth of his music and lyrics.

In December of 2008, I saw him play live at St. Georges Market in Belfast. I must say that it was at this point I fell in love with Duke Special. His performance and the whole set up of the entire gig was creative and very impressive. After that gig I started listening to Duke a whole lot more. As I tend to play my music quite loudly, My dad got a few rough listens of Dukes music through my door. Finally my dad started listening and became a huge fan. This was quite pleasing to me, seeing as my dad was always showing me (new or old) music…now it was my turn to return the favor!

Long story short, my dad saw that Duke Special was coming to states and emailed his manager Phil, asking if Duke would be up for a house gig. Good news…he was! Needless to say, I was VERY excited!

We gathered a group of about fifty people (some we knew and some we didn’t) to come over the day after Thanksgiving for the show. We transformed our living room into a little venue after our delicious turkey dinner Thursday night, and Friday morning my brother and I made the drive to DIA to pick up a very favorite musician of mine. Was this really happening? To be honest I was really nervous… I mean Duke he really is Special!

With my heart pounding I stuck out my hand to shake Peter Wilson’s (Duke) and introduced myself. He was as nice as a guy could be, so down to earth and right on with the N .Irish humor. I feel so honored to have spent most of the day with him. He asked how he had come to be in Colorado of all places and I told him how I heard about his music and the connection I had with Northern Ireland. It was fun to hear him talk about where he went to school, how he started playing music, what he is currently working on for his next album and how he knows so many of the bands or other musicians I listen to. He asked a lot of question to my brother and I which meant a lot and we talked about art and school and Northern Ireland and traveling. It was so nice! On the way back he even bought me a coffee!

We had a lovely dinner with my family, a family friend and a guy from our church who did sound and Peter of course. Then for the show! The sound check alone was wonderful! I was getting something out of the bathroom and just hearing the piano and words to Portrait and knowing it wasn’t just coming out of our speakers was amazing! Aaron (the guy who did sound) did an incredible job with the setup and we had such clear sound. To open the night we had a second cousin of ours play traditional Irish music on the uiellann pipes. Then… it was just Duke and the piano and simply beautiful. Honestly, I like all of his songs. There’s not one that I don’t get bored with… I don’t remember all the songs he played, and he didn’t have a set list, but a few to mention were…

Last Night I Nearly Died

Freewheel

Diggin and Early Grave

Mocking Bird Wish Me Luck

Apple Jack

Sweet Sweet Kisses

Why Does Anybody Love

Everybody Wants A Little Something

Wanda, Darling of the Jocky Club

Brixton Leaves

I Let You Down

Portrait

Closer To the Start

As Good As It Gets

Yvette

Love Is A Series of Scars

… he played my favorite… Salvation Tambourine … he also played Hard Times Come Again No More by Stephen Foster.

After he played his first set, we took a break and he suggested that other people get up and play. This just shows how cool of a musician he was...it wasn't all about him (even though we thought it was!) he enjoyed rocking right along as we listened to everyone else play. He had a few musician friends there that he had met before, so they played and a few other people played. Under pressure from both Peter and my dad I sang Catfish with him. I could not believe this! My nerves got the better of me at the start, but eventually got into the song and was stunned after the fact, realizing I had just sung with Duke Special! After this little interlude, Duke played a few more songs, finishing with Come Thou Fount. He had a very honest introduction to the song, sharing with us that he had faith, yet he had many questions too.  This meant a lot to me, because I felt like I was right there along with him... As I am in a stage of life with so many different opinions and ideas, so many thoughts about God and Christianity being thrown at me, I couldn’t help but agree with him. Needless to say the song was breathtaking!

Around 12 O’clock everyone (except one good friend) had left and I thought surely Peter was exhausted after and early start and lots of traveling plus a long concert. However he shot on over to piano and said he’d like to play my family, uncle friend and I a few more songs. A private concert at 12 AM with Duke Special? Does it get any better? He played Sweet Baby James (STUNNING!) Regarding the Moonlight in Eastbourne, (So beautiful just him and the piano and the lyrics) and a few more covers I didn’t catch the name of…ending on a Bob Dylan song.  At this point it was around 1 AM and everyone was beat…(especially Peter!)

What a night! What an afternoon! What an experience! This one goes down in the books and my description here doesn’t even do a little bit of justice to the day. I’m thankful for Duke Special (Peter Wilson) and his music! It has brought so much joy to my life and to my family, and to so many others!

My Little Niece Clara Bae

I was finally able to go see my little niece. She is the cutest thing in the world!

The Edge Retreat

Have you ever had one of those times when you say you'll do something, or go somewhere? Maybe because someone wants you to, or maybe because everyone else is doing it, or maybe you have no idea why... and then you go...and you know 100% God knew and WANTED you there?

Well that is the story of my life recently. The Edge (college group I go to) went on it's fall retreat this past weekend. Friday after classes we went across Idaho to Silver Mountain resort and stayed there Friday and Saturday night. Walking into the first session Friday night I found myself asking... "Why am I here?" I didn't know very many people, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, already plugged into deep conversations about God...and I felt like the awkward quiet kid who sits in the corner. Then the speaker starts preaching and after a little while I found myself being critical of a lot of what he was saying and how he was saying it. NOT A GREAT START. However God in His great mercy decided to bless me despite my attitude.

Later that night I was talking with two guys from Moody Bible Institute about our majors. One of the guys didn't go to Faith Bible, but he was just there as the drummer for the worship band that was playing. I asked him what his major was and he said International ministry, I asked why and he said...have you heard of this band called Dizmiss? My jaw dropped, because this is a band that goes throughout Europe playing concerts and sharing the Gospel, but the thing was is that this band is based with Josiah Venture (which is the missions organization that we go through to do English camps in the Czech Republic). I couldn't believe it. I told him that I have done English Camps with JV for the last three years! Long story short we found out that we were in Czech at the same time last summer, same training camp and that we actually rode on the same train had a two minute conversation about living in Spokane...and then we meet again here. WoW. This was a huge encouragement to me and could only have been orchestrated by God. What are the chances that we had actually met (I didn't remember him, but he remembered me after we started talking about all of this) in Czech this summer on a train? Again, WOW! Things that may seem so small to other people, but so big to me is just a reminder of how good God is, how he brings good gifts that aren't even deserved, but I know he was smiling when Wes and I were talking about Czech =)

That night I thanked God and I asked Him to help me listen with open heart and open ears. The next two days were incredible. The speaker still spoke in the same way but this time I could hear God talking in it and through it. The theme for the weekend was "All About Jesus" and thats what it was...He basically asked us if our life was all about Jesus. If he was king of our hearts or if we had placed something or someone else on His throne. He talked about Jeremiah 2:13...

13] for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.

This is something that I have thought about before, but it really hit home this past weekend. I would like to say that I have Christ reigning on the throne of my heart all the time 24/7... that I only drink from the living waters...that Jesus is #1 in everything. I found myself sitting there realizing instead I settle for dirty, stale water from broken cisterns... or making mud pies like an ignorant child because I can not imagine the offer of a holiday at sea - (C.S. Lewis). This made me so sad. I know I can't be perfect, but why do I settle for less when Christ has given me the means to an abundant life in and through Him? I cannot help but think of Paul in Romans where he says "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do, and if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good, As it is, it is no longer myself who do it, but it is sin living in me." (7:15-18) It makes it even harder when the things that are good, that are given to me by God...that I love...I can love to much, like friends, family, school, music, even the beauty of creation, if I love them even a little bit more than I love the one who created them, it is still idolatry. It is still leaving the lover of my soul. Paul goes on to say,

"So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a priosoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? THANKS BE TO GOD-through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!" (21-24)


So I am stuck it seems...and then... there was the Gospel.  The euangelion. The good news!
"Therefore, there is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death!" -8:1-2
This is good news... and my heart is filled with a renewed gratitude and worship to my Savior! The Gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful and when confronted by it we can't help but grow more in love with Jesus. I pray that my heart never becomes neutralized to the Gospel!

So although I had ears that didn't want to hear at first, God was gracious and opened both ears and heart, and I left Sunday different from when I arrived Friday. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to go, and to meet a few new faces, be challenged and encouraged, and really taste and see that the Lord is good!

Mumford and Sons Adventures

Someone once told me that college is a time to have wonderful adventures. This past Sunday was definitely  a memorable one! Back in August, Holly, Jeremy Caty and Matt (4 of my closest friends at Whitworth) and I all got tickets to go see one of our new favorite bands Mumford and Sons in Seattle. The plan was to leave Saturday afternoon stay the night, have the day to walk around Seattle, go to the concert, hop in the car and head back to Spokane. Well it turns out that Jeremy had a mandatory leadership retreat and wouldn't be back until 12:00 on Sunday afternoon.  By the time Jeremy got back it was close to 1 and the doors opened at 6:30. We squished into Holly's little car and headed west on I90. The clouds were big and dark with bits of pink and it had just rained, and all the leaves were at their peak for color. Snoqualmie pass was incredible, the clouds were low mingling with the pines and patches of bright golden trees and the tops of the mountains were covered in fresh snow.. Needless to say it was a gorgeous drive, with good conversation, laughter and great music (seeing as it was my ipod that was playing!)

When we got to Seattle we enjoyed delicious Chipotle (which we don't have in Spokane!) had trouble figuring out which of the 7 Starbuck's we should buy our coffee from and then stood in line awaiting our first Mumford concert.  

We were relatively close to the front of the line, which put us standing about 7 rows back from the stage. A guy called King Charles was the first to open. The only way that I could think to describe him is a reggae Captain Jack Sparrow. Lyrically he put together some beautiful poetic songs. He just played the guitar and sang. He was obviously not the most talented musician at the Paramount that night but his lyrics and dress were interesting enough to keep everyone entertained. Next came Mt. Desolation a somewhat alternative country band that was decently good, but King Charles was far more interesting to listen to.

For the main event...Mumford and Sons. What a show! Really. It was phenomenal! I have been listening to MaS for over a year now and I find I become more interested in their music the more and more I listen to them. Hearing them live was definitely a treat! However I must admit I was a bit nervous that they wouldn't be as good live. Anytime I watched Youtube videos they seemed really pitchy and just not as good as the recording for their album, but it was far from that at this show. 

They opened with their album title song the beautiful Sigh No More, and followed with most of the rest of their songs with a few new ones thrown in there. Lover of the light was a stunning song with Marcus Mumford (as the lead singer) at the drums. They played another song they just wrote on the road a couple of months ago. They said they were doing a show two nights in a row and on the second day when they were practicing, they were messing around and came up with a beautiful harmony filled song. They still don't have a name for it, but I'm hoping they decide to record it! 

It's hard to pinpoint which songs were the 'best' ... they were all fantastic and each one filled with energy. There were times when mic stands fell over and sweat was flying... they have real passion for what they were singing about.  Standing in a huge (beautiful) theater with hundreds of strangers all singing the same melodies, the same powerful (and spiritual) lyrics with a powerful band at the leading at the front was quite the experience.

We jumped back into the car around 11:45, and started back on the road. We tried to sleep, but sleep wasn't so kind to us all squished in the back and filled with the events of the night, so by the time we pulled into Whitworth around 4:30 we were quite exhausted. The next few days were a little choppy with lots of homework and little sleep... but all worth it! I can't wait till Mumford comes back to the Northwest! 

A Few Of My Favorite Smells

A little while back I mentioned that I was going to share a few lists of my favorite things. Well a test here, an art project there and time starts to disappear faster than you can believe. So for the record, I haven't forgotten, I've just been... well doing a lot of school work.

So to start...  LIST # 1: SMELLS ... smells for me (and I'm assuming most other people) evoke incredible memories. Nostalgia rises deep within my stomach and it reminds me that there are things not always seen, but yet so incredibly real. These are a few smells I've come to deeply appreciate!

10.  The smell anytime I walk into my house and my mom is cooking... if you've ever been over for dinner you know what I'm talking about!
9. Smell of the inside of a tent
8. Smell of the forest
7. Sweet smell of hay
6. Smell of fresh bread/rolls baking
5. Smell of mint fields in Wallowa County
4. Smell right after it rains
3. Smell of pipe tobacco
2. Smell of the ocean in the north coast of N.I.
1. Smell of a beautifully brewed cup of Peets Coffee

Feel free to share some of your favorite smells!

Shots from NI and CZ

Here are a few of my more artistic shots from this past summer spent in Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic. 

 

October 1...

October 1. Today started with an alarm... ring ring ring...time for class I guess. A new month. Another day. Another chance to breath, another day to feel the penetrating sun on my skin, another day to know that despite the evil in this world, there is good, there is true and there is beautiful. I can see it in people I come into contact with every day. I can hear it in music, I can see it in the changing colors of the leaves…it’s written everywhere. God’s image. His fingerprints are everywhere! However sometimes I find it at the most unexpected times… maybe I should open my eyes more often?

Today I went on a bus ride for a printmaking assignment. Bus rides are not something new to me. I eagerly look forward to them just for the sheer knowledge of knowing I won’t know what to expect. Every time it’s different. This time I got to sit next to a face I see everyday in the cafeteria; a guy who works at Whitworth washing dishes for a living. He gets up early; buses to work and back home again. I think he has some sort of disability, I’m not exactly sure what, maybe a form of cerebral palsy…anyway he wouldn’t be one that people would normally just strike up a conversation with. However, we did start talking and I was amazed at what simple joys he took from everyday life. He’s not in a rush to get to the next thing, to climb the next step…he lives. EACH DAY. And he lives each day finding jewels in car jokes, playing electric guitar and washing dishes. His laugh is contagious and real. Jeff (dishwasher guys name) taught me about be thankful for each day, for being thankful for what I have. 

This little bus ride had three other interesting characters I met (on the way back) but it’s to late to write about them now. They too had the Fingerprints all over them…even if they knew it or not.

There are so many faces in this world, so many numbers. But today I was reminded that there are stories behind each one. Beautiful stories, sad stories, frightful stories, and lovely stories… how dare I see ‘just another face in the crowd’ sitting next to me…I am reminded of something C.S. Lewis said in The Weight of Glory,

“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship or else a horror and corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare…There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal…But it’s immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit-immortal horrors or everlasting splendorous…next to the blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holies object presented to your senses.”

Jeff the dishwasher