On passing deforesting construction on the way to school

Currently Reading The Organic God By Margaret Feinberg see related

beautimus

I love reading, but I haven't been good about actually picking up a book I've been interested in. Margaret Feinberg is an author whose work I've been wanting to read for a while and I finally got the chance thanks to a friend (Elizabeth!!) letting me borrow her copy of the organic God. The first chapter was read a few weeks ago, but last Monday and Tuesday when my aunt and I road-tripped to pick my littlest sister up I read through to the fourth or fifth chapter. This book is wonderful. She is an engaging writer sharing some of the aspects of God's character as found in the scriptures and relating some of the ways He has worked in her life. My brief critique doesn't begin to do it justice - I had as many "haha" moments as I did "aha" moments.

One chapter she talks of God's beauty. The way she wrote it, that we often have a bottom-up view of beauty instead of a top-down view, has been stewing in my brain somewhat. We often look at the beauty in the people or things around us, nature, art, architecture, and appreciate the beauty found there. However we don't often look at the author of that beauty, the One who infused the lovliness found in the people and things around us. And our perception of beauty is often a bit lopsided and skewed, focusing very much on physical beauty, aesthetic appeal, and symmetry to some degree. I've also been watching some of the Dove Self-esteem & True beauty videos and just mulling over this idea of beauty - that the beauty and value to be found in a person is a reflection of the value of their Creator, the One who loves them and calls them beautiful. I don't think I'm smart enough to put it in my own words and I don't want to plagiarize either. Thankfully, as Derek Webb says, the truth is public domain:

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
- Ecclesiastes 3:11

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
-Psalm 27:4

And the following is not scripture but a poem that is often cited as Audrey Hepburn's favorite, one that she lived by. I found it posted on the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty forums:

Time Tested Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; Never throw out anybody.

Remember, If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm.

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

--Sam Levenson

What is beauty to you?

Divine Dreams

This is from the most recent 850 Words of RELEVANT newsletter: "35 ideas that changed the world". They also have an article posted on their website. 

Lou Engle—Leader of The Call, Nov. 2006
> "The Bible says that before a child is formed in his mother's womb, God knows him. It's a life, a dream of God—which means that, since 1973, there have been 47 million dreams of God shattered in this country alone."

Babies have the cutest feet.

For you created my inmost being; 
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, 
I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you 
     when I was made in the secret place. 
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 

your eyes saw my unformed body. 
All the days ordained for me 
  were written in your book 
before one of them came to be. 

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! 
How vast is the sum of them! 

Were I to count them, 
       they would outnumber the grains of sand. 
When I awake, 
I am still with you. 

-Psalm 139: 13-18

Currently Listening Mockingbird By Derek Webb A King & A Kingdom see related

A Return to Internet

With the Lenten season upon us I have decided to fast from presidential voting for the next 40 days. I'm glad that I got my fill of it today.

Actually, that brings me to the three topics I wish to speak of today:

• We now have internet at home again! For a long time I have either used the internet at my grandma's house or at the library, but we hooked up the DSL modem last night at our house and I got to surfing and updating. The computer is in my room which means I'll have to set some rules with myself about not staying up until all hours of the night (ahem) when I should instead be doing homework (Ahem) since I have been blessed to be able to return to school (aHEM!).
  
• I voted today. A sense of patriotism and civic responsibility lingered briefly into the afternoon. My lunch break at work was enough time to drive back to my old polling location, cast my ballot, and submit a change of address form so that I can vote down the street from my house instead of halfway across town - though I always enjoy the drive through that neighborhood... "Memories..." ♪
  
  Back at my desk after working I also listened to one of my infrequently listened to favorite artists: Derek Webb. It was the song A King & A Kingdom from his album Mockingbird. A good song and a good album. Lots of praying, reading, and listening to do.
  
  Lord, you're so much bigger than me - your thoughts encapsulate those of so many. You see these dreams and hopes, those tears and wails, and You never flinch away in apathy or pity. You love. May I be an answer to prayers, Father, reaching out in the name of Jesus. All glory to You Father, for you are worthy!
  
• Lent. If asked, I would probably most identify myself with more evangelical/charismatic doctrine, but as with some Orthodox Christian practices I am intrigued by the observance of Lent. Being raised Catholic as young children, my siblings and I observed Lent with the juvenile declarations of abstinence from broccoli, homework, or some other youthful luxury. The lack of these temporarily disallowed items would most certainly draw us closer to God and show our devotion to Him through our forbearance. *cough*
  
  Either anywho (which in retrospect was likely my favorite phrase in the 8th grade), one aspect of having the mind of Christ is self-denial.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery
to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant,
and coming in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:5-7

Currently Listening The Everglow By Mae Suspension see related

i speak the words of North with heart and tongue so southern.
body divided: flesh, soul, heart, bones.
North, send breeze fresh, briny off the coast of crystal-slapped shores,
cooling this scorched frame (been crawling through southern flames),
sandblasting the dead away, the sin-rot flesh decay.
not dapper yet, sad days a while yet, making way North yet!