seeking shalom through wrestling well
I wake up +
the world is transformed–
tiny flakes zip by me,
pleased with themselves.
even a single little twig is
covered in layers of sugar,
not a single one has been overlooked.
how sad,
the leaves missed out on the experience–
how good,
they were spared its destruction.
the flurry of white origami,
crafted by the Maker Himself,
cares not for me–
but He obviously does.
As I approach the end (don’t remind me! I’m loving this season of my life!) of the second-to-last semester of high school, I am very aware of the opportunities and privileges I’ve been given.
But that all fades away in light of the world-wide opportunity for ALL Christians that Adam Ford breaks down brilliantly for us in his latest CDRticle.
If you’re not familiar with Mr. Ford’s work, he’s the guy who started the Babylon Bee. Sometime last year, he sold that lovely website to the other guys who were helping him with it so that he could work full time on his newest project, the Christian Daily Reporter. He makes podcasts and comics as a part of CDR, and they’re always insightful and hardhitting. 
But if his political commentary is brilliant, his Christian encouragement and admonitions are even better. His latest CDRticle is called What an Opportunity We Have as Christians Today
I hope it strengthens your resolve as much as it strengthened mine. For Narnia! 🙂
In today’s exceedingly polarized and angry political climate, what an opportunity we have as Christians.
As warring factions fight in the streets, bombs are planted in mailboxes, poisons are mailed to government officials, rocks are chucked through office windows, racist robocalls are circulated, politicians and their families are chased from restaurants, and parts of cities fall to manic mobs, what an opportunity we have to season our convictions with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As social media and click-bait websites intoxicate the masses with fleeting dopamine hits as rewards for “owning” one’s foes, what an opportunity we have to care deeply about policy and social issues not out of resentment or self-importance, but as a outgrowth of our love of neighbor and care for our fellow man’s physical and eternal well-being.
As political camps, drunk on ideology, proceed to hate, curse, and wish ill upon each other, what an opportunity we have to be willing to discuss our beliefs in a civil manner, attempting to persuade using reason, logic, and grace; firmly, yet with broken hearts and love in our eyes.
As politicians and their armies on all sides will increasingly do or say anything — anything — to accrue power, what an opportunity we have to refuse to compromise truthfulness or bear false witness.
As groupthink-fueled tribes and their echo chambers become more deeply entrenched, what an opportunity we have within the body of Christ to exhibit our dedication to each other as paramount by disagreeing with one another on politics with care and affection — not as the world does, but as fellow members of the royal priesthood and siblings in God’s eternal family, in a way that might manifest Christ’s words in front of unbelievers: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
As our culture increasingly worships politics, what an opportunity we have to show that our politics are subservient to — and an overflow of — our worship of the One True God and the life He has called us to live in Jesus Christ.
These are unique and furious times, and you and I are not here by accident.
What an opportunity we have.
Squid
Disclaimer: This will be my last post for a while, as I’ll be working at Camp Gilead again from the end of May until mid-July.
Hey guys!
I was nominated for the Mystery Blogger Award by three lovely blogger-friends in less than a month, so I suppose that I should actually do it, haha.
But first, the rules:
First to nominate me was my new friend Hannah over at Cactus Honey, and then peckapalooza, and then Mr. Mitch Teemley gave me both a nomination and the “(belower)” idea for the rules, haha. Interestingly, both peckapalooza and Hannah were nominated by Paul. So, thank you to all of you! (including Paul? XD)
From Hannah:
Now peckapalooza‘s:
And, lastly, Mr. Mitch’s questions:
-Squid
P.S. If anyone got the Phineas and Ferb reference…
https://giphy.com/embed/PCAvB5GYY5oTSvia GIPHY
That’s a really cliche clickbaity title, but it was going to accurate.
I was going to write a post about how I grew this year and what I learned, but then Mrs. Dawnlizjones wrote this post on INSPIRATION with an ATTITUDE, and I realized that her main theme was going to be my main point! 😆 So, I’m gonna just let you read hers, and then give a recap of my year.
After a painful, drama-filled beginning of year, I felt like a terrible human being. When I was offered a chance to work at a Christian summer camp, Camp Gilead, I jumped at it as a chance to follow God’s will instead of mine.
That was the greatest decision of my life because I grew SO. MUCH. over the span of just a few months and cultivated friendships that are still bearing fruit.
Due to camp, I drove two hours on the highway multiple times after only having my license for a couple months… My mom is still confused on how she ever let me do that, haha.
I became a lot more independent and responsible this year — you can ask my mom. I’ve gotten gas by myself multiple times, run errands for my mom once in a while, and drive myself and my sisters around very often. It’s been cool to have that level of freedom. 🙂
I had had my own room at the beginning of the year, but I moved in with my sister after camp. Sharing a room is harder than I remembered, but we’re working on it. 🙂
At the beginning of the Lunar year (in the fall), Jews around the world read a section of the Torah each week, starting in Genesis. My family started doing this too this fall, and I’ve gained soooo much knowledge and perspective on the first book of the Bible (we just finished Genesis) because we’re watching some videos in conjunction with each week’s parsha (portion in Hebrew). The videos are non-Messianic, but Rabbi David Fohrman is an incredible teacher with incredible insight into the Torah. Often, we discuss his videos and say, “If only he knew the rest of the story! What he could do with the New Testament!” I can’t wait for Exodus!
My family also joined GCHFA this year, which is the culmination of my childhood dreams: playing in a band and singing in a choir. The fact that it’s with other Christian homeschoolers is just the coolest thing ever. Our Christmas concert went splendidly, as did our assisted living facility outreach the week after. Yay!
My mom got some pics… 🙂
I know that there are more things that were relatively important this year, but also that I’ll only remember them once I publish this, so I’m not going to sweat it. Regardless, it was a really good year, and I’m excited to see what God has in store for 2018.
Happy New Year!
-Squid
Happy Reformation Day! 500 years to the day since Martin Luther called out the Roman Catholic Church on their blatant theological problems. Thanking God for my wonderful Bible church. 🙂
A hurricane is about to hit my house.
I usually don’t comment on current events, but this one is a little different.
A hurricane is about to hit my family.
A hurricane is about to hit my community.
—
My family moved to Florida about a year after Hurricane Charley pretty much destroyed the very town we were moving to. The town was (is?) still rebuilding.
That was the last real hurricane to cause any actual destruction. In the 10 years inbetween, we’ve had Isaac, Whilma, and maybe two others that gave us some wind and a lot of rain, but we lost, like, a shingle from each.
So, most Floridians don’t take hurricans seriously.
However, deep down inside me, I’ve always wanted to be in a life or death situation (camp doesn’t count) with my family and come through it together.
Now, as Irma barrels toward (through?) my hometown — with Jose not too far behind, I’m not even going to be there.
I’m in Ohio.
Go figure.
Today (Saturday) originally was the day that we were going to start heading home. But, you know, that tends to seem unwise when everyone is leaving the state you would be going back to.
—
I’m not sure how to feel.
On the one hand, I’m relieved not to be in the middle of 150mph winds and likely power outages.
On the other hand, my family isn’t evacuating!! My family is right in the path of a Category 4 (think, really destructive) hurricane.
I’m actually really scared for them. I want to be there, surviving with them. I want us to be a family. But here I am, powerless to anything but watch from the sidelines and, oh wait, pray!
Please join me in praying often for the survivors of Harvey who have the difficult task of rebuilding their homes and lives, and for the soon-to-be survivors of Irma who will, God willing, be picking up their own pieces.
They need our support. Let’s give it to ’em.
—
Aaaannndd I still have some memes I wasn’t able to fit into the post, soooo:
Some public safety announcements:
And the rest…
Alright guys, stay safe, and please keep Floridians in your prayers!!
-Sydney
P.S. The reason for all the memes is because (why not??) humor is often a defense against fear and/or uncomfortability. It helps me look at the bright side (we’ve got some pretty funny people out there), and helps lighten the mood a bit, even though I’m kinda freaking out.
A year ago today, I posted this picture on my blog. ^^ under the title “Where Do I Go From Here?”
The subjects are the directional keys on my previous laptop, the one that I had built with my dad years and years ago. I was rather proud of how my quick pic turned out, and the post got a good deal of attention from my lovely followers. 🙂 Little did I know, but this antique trusty old Dell would be replaced at the turn of the school year, which was only about a month later.
Here I am, a year later, and I’m still using its replacement, a cheap but generally reliable ASUS. It’s served me well, but the memories I have with its predecessor can never be replaced. 🙂
However, by the time this actually posts (I’m writing this ahead of time on Thursday night), I’ll be leaving Floridia and heading to Gah-jah as a halfway point between home and Ohaih. So, the title actually fits rather well. except for the fact that you know where I’m going.
I also started Algebra II this Tuesday and I’m super pumped!! I got a used TI-84 calculator and it is my new favorite thing!
Shoutout to new adventures with an old(ish) laptop and new-to-me calculator!
-Sydney
Squid's Cup of Tea 
