Is our pastor just challenging me lately? Or does his preaching also jumble others? Well I remember I asked for growth in my life, so I probably should not be surprised that things start to become puzzling.
My "Fathers" steps are very visually lately! Sunday morning I had my devotions (2.Chr.20, 1-30) about "Moabites declaring war against Juda = Jehoshaphat". He (Jehoshaphat) was terrified - but first thing he asked for GODs help....... not somewhere hidden in a corner, but OUT IN PUBLIC!.....Everyone was able to observe or hear him!....... Would a king do the same today? ......Officially admit, he is scared and needs help? ........ What would I do in the same situation? ........ Would I be too proud to admit fear?........ What picture would I give in public? .... Rather hiding?...... Risking to appear as a weak person? ....... Or would I consider a king, crying out to the Lord in public, a strong leader? ...... Would I rely on the LORD in that case or rather consider clever advice by politicians? ….
Guess I would love to ask Jehoshaphat this question!
I am keeping this huge list with all questions ....... still unanswered :-(( ....... and I cheat myself thinking, I will be able to ask GOD all these questions someday! Probably at that very moment, I won't have questions anymore….. But until that day, the list is getting looooong!
It is also true, the more I know and experience the Lord........ Sorry GUYS, not the less questions I have, but....... the more questions appear….. Some get answered, but at the same time, there are equally more to come.
AND then Mark preached on Sunday (Heb. 5,10) ........ As soon as he started talking about weakness….. I DEFINATLY GOT THE POINT – this was for me!
As if GOD wants to prove this reality to me, the week is one challenge after another and I am feeling totally exposed and weak! But I learned HIS STRENGTH is with the weak….. So I probably should feel GOOD about it….. Mh, if you would have told me...... exactly that ...... yesterday evening, I would have yelled at you!
Eg. I will share some incidents …… getting a structural drawing 10 days before the deadline or technical project (!!!)....... recognizing nothing is as discussed ......... but effecting 7 - A1 sheets of printouts......... THAT feels like being sued and sitting in jail already......... I was out of my mind....... “Do I actually have an engineer in this project???”…. "Who is drawing this stuff?"....... “What is this guy thinking?”…… "Does he care at all???” …. “It will costs my health again! Nightshifts, simply to finish in time!” …..
So, work is not always a piece of cake! It also shows perfectly how weak I am, and how proud I can be, thinking I would handle my daily life without GOD!
There are a few lessons here for me to learn…..
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Countdown
Thats me at the moment!Having a tough time at the office, finishing the technical design for the National Library!
Less sleep, as you can see..... Tiredness helps to actually also do crazy things like this photo shooting! Every collegue had to pose..... No exception!
These are my favourite 3 pics....
.
THANKSGIVING
There was this idea to celebrate a thanksgiving day. I would prepare and invite others and we would spend a day praying alone and in the group, eating and having time together.
Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD
is good; his love endures for ever. Jer. 33, 11
AND we have – no matter what happened throughout the last year – many things to give praise or thanks to HIM! Try yourself, I am sure you will find something for each topic:
Creation, Family, Partner, Children, Friends
Health, Food, Clothes, Money
Church, Home, Work,
Love, Joy, Security, Peace
Encouragement, Help, Gifts, Touch, Time................. Amazing isn’t it?
Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD
is good; his love endures for ever. Jer. 33, 11
AND we have – no matter what happened throughout the last year – many things to give praise or thanks to HIM! Try yourself, I am sure you will find something for each topic:
Creation, Family, Partner, Children, Friends
Health, Food, Clothes, Money
Church, Home, Work,
Love, Joy, Security, Peace
Encouragement, Help, Gifts, Touch, Time................. Amazing isn’t it?
Friday, October 5, 2007
THE QUID!
What is that????
Well, according to the news today, we desperately need a new currency! So the QUID is THE new financial revolution!...... “Does any tribe in south Africa need to change from trading with sugarcane? Even if, they would get the dollar!” …. NO! For countries here on earth we already have a solution! ……Scientists need NEW challenges! …… And now, here comes the tragedy - we have NO MONEY in universe!
“But who is actually traveling there?” you might ask!" ……. Obviously there are some touristy spots out in space, otherwise, why should you even want to take money for a BOCKWURST or souvenirs??? But honestly, what do you actually do with money in space? ……. If I would organize the tour, I would ask for payment ahead the trip. Maybe you never return? For my opinion that would bring me too quick to bankruptcy…..
But this little piece of new developed metal coin is especially fire resistant, like a hot pan would be.... “Cooking in space is an option? Eating pills is not anymore the way to dine?”..... Well, I might need to educated myself in order to grasp this invention. But maybe they just needed to find work? Fighting unemployment = creating new jobs in space is definitely a clever move! :-))
Well, according to the news today, we desperately need a new currency! So the QUID is THE new financial revolution!...... “Does any tribe in south Africa need to change from trading with sugarcane? Even if, they would get the dollar!” …. NO! For countries here on earth we already have a solution! ……Scientists need NEW challenges! …… And now, here comes the tragedy - we have NO MONEY in universe!
“But who is actually traveling there?” you might ask!" ……. Obviously there are some touristy spots out in space, otherwise, why should you even want to take money for a BOCKWURST or souvenirs??? But honestly, what do you actually do with money in space? ……. If I would organize the tour, I would ask for payment ahead the trip. Maybe you never return? For my opinion that would bring me too quick to bankruptcy…..
But this little piece of new developed metal coin is especially fire resistant, like a hot pan would be.... “Cooking in space is an option? Eating pills is not anymore the way to dine?”..... Well, I might need to educated myself in order to grasp this invention. But maybe they just needed to find work? Fighting unemployment = creating new jobs in space is definitely a clever move! :-))
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Muezzin + Turkish coffees
Contrasting elements everywhere!
Streets filled with signs, houses covered in advertisements, colorful, big and small ones, fixed or as a flag moving with the wind, two story houses next to 7 levels, historical ones from the 16.th century and poor standards side-by-side.
A mix-up of languages, cultures, bargains, pickpockets, elements without any order, moving chadors or women in mini and top, thousands of tourists, hills and water ways, cars, planes, busses and ships.
Muezzins making sounds, at regular recurring times – also at night, awakening you in the middle of a peaceful dream.
Pulsating traffic, transportation without any recognizable or connected system, not even the taxi drivers would know, where to find places. Especially to mention the habit to blow the horn for almost every situation – “Attention, I am coming”, “Get out of my way!”, “Idiot!”, “Hello neighbor, nice to meet you!”. Tooting signs are definitely an additional language that you need to learn in order to move safely through the streets. Ah, and watch out before crossing the street too. A red traffic light does not necessary also mean, that cars would stop. Best you learn to walk at a red traffic light, cause then the car will at least blow the horn and you will hear it before it knocks you over! :-))
I sometimes felt like being in the midst of a beehive. Vibrations, sounds, cars, smog, screams, everyone and everything moved at the same time, somewhere without direction – no silence, no rest……. BUT it was so much alive! Excitement, attraction, power...... MAGNATIC FACINATION!
AND then in the midst of this chaos, coffee or tea drinking people, games at bars (mostly men), talks, communication on the streets, as if there is nothing else to do, no work, no hassle, no rush, someone offering you a cup of tea - a sign of acceptance and respect, taking time an honor….. Good to learn for a stressed out German, isn’t it???
Remarkable also meditating people among this pulsating mess, singing recurring tones or murmuring words like mantras…… Was that meant to lift them up to a higher level of spirituality, or silence??? Old hands holding wooden necklaces for prayers. BUT what hit me with watching these men and women, prayer seemed to be naturally in public yet very private. I thought from Muslim prayer rituals, I can learn a sincerity, eagerness, commitment even knowing they need to earn their way to heaven thought doing so…..
How do I pray? Is the Lord really as much integrated into my daily activities and do I find the silence to pray among traffic lights? Is my believe as sincere that I can call out into the public without being a little bit embarrassed? How strong is my prayer life if I am confronted in public? What about my commitment to pray regular and how important are sometimes other things compared to prayer??? Lot’s of questions which ask for answers…..
Yes, the contrast of life in Istanbul was definitely, what struck me most!!!
Streets filled with signs, houses covered in advertisements, colorful, big and small ones, fixed or as a flag moving with the wind, two story houses next to 7 levels, historical ones from the 16.th century and poor standards side-by-side.
A mix-up of languages, cultures, bargains, pickpockets, elements without any order, moving chadors or women in mini and top, thousands of tourists, hills and water ways, cars, planes, busses and ships.
Muezzins making sounds, at regular recurring times – also at night, awakening you in the middle of a peaceful dream.
Pulsating traffic, transportation without any recognizable or connected system, not even the taxi drivers would know, where to find places. Especially to mention the habit to blow the horn for almost every situation – “Attention, I am coming”, “Get out of my way!”, “Idiot!”, “Hello neighbor, nice to meet you!”. Tooting signs are definitely an additional language that you need to learn in order to move safely through the streets. Ah, and watch out before crossing the street too. A red traffic light does not necessary also mean, that cars would stop. Best you learn to walk at a red traffic light, cause then the car will at least blow the horn and you will hear it before it knocks you over! :-))
I sometimes felt like being in the midst of a beehive. Vibrations, sounds, cars, smog, screams, everyone and everything moved at the same time, somewhere without direction – no silence, no rest……. BUT it was so much alive! Excitement, attraction, power...... MAGNATIC FACINATION!
AND then in the midst of this chaos, coffee or tea drinking people, games at bars (mostly men), talks, communication on the streets, as if there is nothing else to do, no work, no hassle, no rush, someone offering you a cup of tea - a sign of acceptance and respect, taking time an honor….. Good to learn for a stressed out German, isn’t it???
Remarkable also meditating people among this pulsating mess, singing recurring tones or murmuring words like mantras…… Was that meant to lift them up to a higher level of spirituality, or silence??? Old hands holding wooden necklaces for prayers. BUT what hit me with watching these men and women, prayer seemed to be naturally in public yet very private. I thought from Muslim prayer rituals, I can learn a sincerity, eagerness, commitment even knowing they need to earn their way to heaven thought doing so…..
How do I pray? Is the Lord really as much integrated into my daily activities and do I find the silence to pray among traffic lights? Is my believe as sincere that I can call out into the public without being a little bit embarrassed? How strong is my prayer life if I am confronted in public? What about my commitment to pray regular and how important are sometimes other things compared to prayer??? Lot’s of questions which ask for answers…..
Yes, the contrast of life in Istanbul was definitely, what struck me most!!!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
JOYFULNESS – What makes me joyful?
This is a very good question! I could now recall all Christian trainings and find the perfect answer that would also be fine from a biblical perspective. But wouldn’t that be cheating??? Well Mark Sandberg asked the question and it keeps me thinking…..When I can be authentically ME!??? Which is exactly??? When I feel accepted and respected – loved! Wow….and more into detail, what does that mean? Mh!
1. PEOPLE and TIME would be key! A situation where I feel welcome, personally invited to be a part of a group or single person! When someone allows me being a part of his life. And then sharing life also means, having the time for talking or doing something together. WHICH also means, that having no time for people and myself makes me fall apart and is quite devastating to me! NO TIME, NO PEOPLE = NO JOY
2. When I can do things I love doing. Like dancing, singing, walking along beaches or climbing mountains, photography, working with flowers, sometimes painting, sightseeing, cooking or baking for others.
3. DREAMING daydreams, small little stories that are actually not real but nice escapes from reality, like fairytales. Or even reading a good novel or watching a movie. Helps relax and to enjoy a quiet evening. It also helps to get some distance from daily challenges and emotions and to find my real self……
4. When I can live and share my calling. Mentoring, equipping, supporting, challenging people, to grow into the people GOD designed them to be. How much joy would I feel, if someone truly could say on my funeral, Claudia helped me to become myself and find the Lord. Wow that is the ultimate JOY! If I could leave a legacy like that!
1. PEOPLE and TIME would be key! A situation where I feel welcome, personally invited to be a part of a group or single person! When someone allows me being a part of his life. And then sharing life also means, having the time for talking or doing something together. WHICH also means, that having no time for people and myself makes me fall apart and is quite devastating to me! NO TIME, NO PEOPLE = NO JOY
2. When I can do things I love doing. Like dancing, singing, walking along beaches or climbing mountains, photography, working with flowers, sometimes painting, sightseeing, cooking or baking for others.
3. DREAMING daydreams, small little stories that are actually not real but nice escapes from reality, like fairytales. Or even reading a good novel or watching a movie. Helps relax and to enjoy a quiet evening. It also helps to get some distance from daily challenges and emotions and to find my real self……
4. When I can live and share my calling. Mentoring, equipping, supporting, challenging people, to grow into the people GOD designed them to be. How much joy would I feel, if someone truly could say on my funeral, Claudia helped me to become myself and find the Lord. Wow that is the ultimate JOY! If I could leave a legacy like that!
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