February 2011
20 posts
Lent Book
I wrote this for inclusion in my church’s Lent Booklet - they asked me to reflect on the readings from April 14th, which are Genesis 17:1-8 and John 8:51-59.
I’m super nervous to be sharing this, but I figured I’d give it a go anyway, so here you are…
“If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing…” (John 8:54)
Since I first read these readings, I have not been able to get that one sentence out of my head. It’s not even the entirety of the verse and it’s clearly taken out of context, and yet for me it is profound on its own.
As a twenty-something I have certainly seen my fair share of my generation’s self-glorification, and I would be lying to you if I said I’d never participated in a bit of a ‘bragging competition’ myself. That is why I found this verse to be so striking.
For me it was a reminder that exalting oneself can and often does have the opposite of the intended effect. And that got me thinking a little further, too, about why we often hear others (or, if we’re honest, find ourselves) endlessly bragging about this or that. It really bothers me that, even for a moment, I have felt like I somehow needed acknowledgement so badly that I was willing to openly revere myself, just because I was hoping to hear a response of affirmation in agreement.
I want to live a life where people can see and feel and hear the positive for themselves; I don’t want to live a life in which the only way I feel fulfilled is to be shouting the positives from the rooftops, hoping someone will hear me.
That’s ultimately not the point, is it?”
PLEASE HELP AND GO IF YOU CAN.
We have just received news that our BlackBox Production of THE LARAMIE PROJECT At Seacoast Repertory Theatre will be picketed by godhatesfags.com. Now more than ever we need to stand together against intolerance and support this produciton. We will be selling tickets at a 50% discount from today until the close of this production. For more information, tickets and… showtimes call 603-433-4472 or visit www.seacoastrep.org!
I’m gonna try to go. this is ridiculous.
I work that day until 6pm, and then I’m heading over - the protests are supposed to be from 6:15-7pm on Wednesday, Feb. 27th. I already have my tickets.
“You see a model walk down the street and she’s wearing jeans and a T-shirt, no make-up, her hair down, and she looks like a regular girl. For me just to look “natural” in a photo takes two hours of hair and makeup, good lighting, styling and Photoshop—and six hours later, you have the picture. But when I go home, it’s just me with no makeup, pimples, and a pair of a baggy pants. That’s life—the rest is fantasy. We all need to remember that a photo is just what beauty was to one photographer on one day. You can’t compare yourself to those pictures. You are real. Photos are two-dimensional. Beauty is three-dimensional. Your confidence, your personality, your presence—it all adds to what makes you beautiful.”
—Coco Rocha (via roseraie)
“The Notebook” Inspired Engagement Shoot
I’m not even ashamed to admit that I LOVE this!
I want my future husband and I to do this.
“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson”
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