Gold is the glittering gem from the earth
It's the light in the newborn's eyes after birth
Gold is the savannah's sparkling grass
It's the blazing sun's fiery mass
Gold is the marriage surrounding a finger
Gold's majestic sparkle always will linger
Gold is the taste of the voice from your throat
It's the shiny button on a fancy coat
Gold can fill a person with dread
It's the flowers on a grave of a person's who's dead
In dark, gold can pierce through the black
But black can come back with a simple attack
Gold is the sound of horns and of pipes
It's the taste of a fresh pear that is ripe
Gold can corrupt almost anyone's mind
But luckily it's very hard to find
Gold is a color, but also can be touched
And in opinion, I like it very much
Friday, May 28, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Next "Survivor" Series
Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.
Each kid will play two sports and take either music or dance classes.
There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids, maintain his career, keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.
In addition, each man will have to budget enough money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing. Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Emergency Room.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished, and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches,have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings and church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:30 am.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size, doctor's name, the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear, and what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.
If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years, eventually earning the right to be called Mother!
(HT: Laurie Josey)
Each kid will play two sports and take either music or dance classes.
There is no fast food.
Each man must take care of his 3 kids, maintain his career, keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.
In addition, each man will have to budget enough money for groceries each week.
Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing. Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Emergency Room.
He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a school function.
Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside, and keeping it presentable at all times.
The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished, and eyebrows groomed.
During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, backaches, headaches,have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
They must attend weekly school meetings and church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
They will need to read a book to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:30 am.
A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size, doctor's name, the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear, and what they want to be when they grow up.
The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.
If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years, eventually earning the right to be called Mother!
(HT: Laurie Josey)
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Best. Birthday. Ever.
I have finally posted photos from my 40th birthday festivities on Facebook. It was a wonderful season of celebration, capped off by the trip of my dreams: a Chicago getaway weekend with a collection of dear girlfriends from around the country.
My BFF Judy and I flew into O'Hare on Weds., May 12, collected our rental car, and headed immediately to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs take on the Florida Marlins from our seats in the centerfield bleachers. It was 45 degrees and rainy but we made it through the seventh inning and the Cubs eventually won, 4-3. I love Wrigley because it's totally old school with its ivy-covered walls, the old manual scoreboard, no jumbotrons and almost no advertising around the field.
We loaded up on groceries at the local Jewel/Osco, lugged everything home and up three flights of stairs, then ordered Italian take-out for a late dinner while watching "Up In The Air" with George Clooney. Carbs and Clooney, the perfect way to prepare for an eventful weekend.
On Thursday, everyone else arrived from around the country: Joline from Pittsburgh; Polly from Denver; Julie from SE Wisconsin, just over the state line; Joyce from NW Wisconsin; and Phyl and Heather from the Twin Cities. We promptly got to work loading our own chicken and steak kabobs to grill for dinner.
As we savored our meal, I went around the table and talked a little bit about each person, how I knew her, and the role she has played in my life.
They returned the favor with cards, words of encouragement, and a surprise 40th birthday scrapbook -- plus a delicious homemade lemon meringue pie for dessert. We ended the evening with a little Mary Kay fun, thanks to our knowledgeable consultant, Joline.
As if that wasn't enough fun for a day, we headed back to our condo for pizza and then walked over to ComedySportz, which features team improv comedy. After THAT, I was surprised by a white stretch limousine waiting to take us on a nighttime tour of Lakeshore Drive and more gorgeous views of the city, plus a stop at Baker's Square for some pie.
The big party had to end sometime, and Saturday morning everyone headed for home except for Judy, who treated me to dinner that evening at Morton's The Steakhouse on State Street (the original location). Sunday we had breakfast at Walker Brothers' Original Pancake House, attended Willow Creek Community Church in the suburbs, made a quick visit to Ikea (I'm not sure I understand what the fuss is all about), then headed to O'Hare for our flight back to Durham.
It was a whirlwind weekend and the experience of a lifetime, better than perfect. The memories will last forever. I truly am blessed with the most wonderful friends, and so honored by the gift of their time and travel to make this dream trip come true. A very Happy Birthday to me, indeed.
My BFF Judy and I flew into O'Hare on Weds., May 12, collected our rental car, and headed immediately to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs take on the Florida Marlins from our seats in the centerfield bleachers. It was 45 degrees and rainy but we made it through the seventh inning and the Cubs eventually won, 4-3. I love Wrigley because it's totally old school with its ivy-covered walls, the old manual scoreboard, no jumbotrons and almost no advertising around the field.
After the game we checked into our rental, a third-floor condo in a brownstone in Wrigleyville, two blocks from Lake Michigan.
On Thursday, everyone else arrived from around the country: Joline from Pittsburgh; Polly from Denver; Julie from SE Wisconsin, just over the state line; Joyce from NW Wisconsin; and Phyl and Heather from the Twin Cities. We promptly got to work loading our own chicken and steak kabobs to grill for dinner.
As we savored our meal, I went around the table and talked a little bit about each person, how I knew her, and the role she has played in my life.
I have the most amazing friends. From left to right: Joyce Farka, Heather McKinley,
Julie Rodriguez, Joline Atkins, Polly Lott, Phyl Schock, Judy Speas.
Julie Rodriguez, Joline Atkins, Polly Lott, Phyl Schock, Judy Speas.
They returned the favor with cards, words of encouragement, and a surprise 40th birthday scrapbook -- plus a delicious homemade lemon meringue pie for dessert. We ended the evening with a little Mary Kay fun, thanks to our knowledgeable consultant, Joline.
That is the most beautiful meringue I have ever seen.
Friday began with Joline, Heather, and I going for a 3-mile run along the lake. The weather was absolutely perfect. Some enjoyed the beautiful weather with a cup of hot coffee or a few extra zzz's, instead.
We walked two blocks and took the bus to downtown Chicago, where we made a beeline for the Hershey's and Ghirardelli chocolate stores. Free samples! We walked down Michigan Avenue (stopping at Crate & Barrel) toward the river, then back with a stop along the way at Garrett's Popcorn. At the John Hancock building, we caught our hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus, which took us to lunch at Portillo's and then on a tour around the city.
We walked two blocks and took the bus to downtown Chicago, where we made a beeline for the Hershey's and Ghirardelli chocolate stores. Free samples! We walked down Michigan Avenue (stopping at Crate & Barrel) toward the river, then back with a stop along the way at Garrett's Popcorn. At the John Hancock building, we caught our hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus, which took us to lunch at Portillo's and then on a tour around the city.
As if that wasn't enough fun for a day, we headed back to our condo for pizza and then walked over to ComedySportz, which features team improv comedy. After THAT, I was surprised by a white stretch limousine waiting to take us on a nighttime tour of Lakeshore Drive and more gorgeous views of the city, plus a stop at Baker's Square for some pie.
The big party had to end sometime, and Saturday morning everyone headed for home except for Judy, who treated me to dinner that evening at Morton's The Steakhouse on State Street (the original location). Sunday we had breakfast at Walker Brothers' Original Pancake House, attended Willow Creek Community Church in the suburbs, made a quick visit to Ikea (I'm not sure I understand what the fuss is all about), then headed to O'Hare for our flight back to Durham.
From left to right: fresh-squeezed orange juice, thick bacon, corn-flake crusted French toast with bananas
and whipped cream, apple pancake with powdered sugar, and more fresh-squeezed orange juice.
and whipped cream, apple pancake with powdered sugar, and more fresh-squeezed orange juice.
It was a whirlwind weekend and the experience of a lifetime, better than perfect. The memories will last forever. I truly am blessed with the most wonderful friends, and so honored by the gift of their time and travel to make this dream trip come true. A very Happy Birthday to me, indeed.
Why Lala?
When I was little, apparently I couldn't say my full name, "Angela," so I called myself Lala. There you have it.
Leadership Missionary
I think I am called to be a leadership missionary.
God has gifted me as a leader and teacher. I have a burning passion for the importance of leadership in ministry, and therefore of leadership development. I get the most thrill out of being a part of "a-ha" moments when people gain a new leadership awareness, understanding, or skill.
Part of me would love to be part of a high-performing team or organization where top-level leadership is the norm. However, I have come to realize that my calling is to work with the leaders no one has heard of (at least not yet): lay leaders, emerging/young leaders, and paid staff who may never be leadership "superstars" but are serving faithfully in their context and want to learn how to be more effective.
I hear Jesus' words applied to my unique vocation: the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Think of the kingdom impact if we developed and released untapped leadership potential! I am called to bring the "gospel" of leadership to these individuals and organizations.
Sometimes, the work can be discouraging. Some receive the message gladly, others need more convincing. Growth takes time -- years, not days -- and a lot of energy. While I sometimes write and speak for large audiences, the majority of my work takes place in life-on-life conversations, relationships and ministry, one leader at a time.
It can also be lonely. Last summer, I was in Denver for a wedding and got to spend time with a number of great ministry leaders. I felt like a dry sponge, soaking up the interaction. I felt like I was among "my people," people who "got" me and shared the same understanding and passion. While I have many relationships here, I have learned to not place the burden of support on those I am serving, and to find support and community outside of my ministry, even out of my city.
Yes, I am a leadership missionary. My personal mission is "to identify, develop, and encourage ministry leaders." It's often a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.
I'm glad that somebody gets to be me.
God has gifted me as a leader and teacher. I have a burning passion for the importance of leadership in ministry, and therefore of leadership development. I get the most thrill out of being a part of "a-ha" moments when people gain a new leadership awareness, understanding, or skill.
Part of me would love to be part of a high-performing team or organization where top-level leadership is the norm. However, I have come to realize that my calling is to work with the leaders no one has heard of (at least not yet): lay leaders, emerging/young leaders, and paid staff who may never be leadership "superstars" but are serving faithfully in their context and want to learn how to be more effective.
I hear Jesus' words applied to my unique vocation: the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Think of the kingdom impact if we developed and released untapped leadership potential! I am called to bring the "gospel" of leadership to these individuals and organizations.
Sometimes, the work can be discouraging. Some receive the message gladly, others need more convincing. Growth takes time -- years, not days -- and a lot of energy. While I sometimes write and speak for large audiences, the majority of my work takes place in life-on-life conversations, relationships and ministry, one leader at a time.
It can also be lonely. Last summer, I was in Denver for a wedding and got to spend time with a number of great ministry leaders. I felt like a dry sponge, soaking up the interaction. I felt like I was among "my people," people who "got" me and shared the same understanding and passion. While I have many relationships here, I have learned to not place the burden of support on those I am serving, and to find support and community outside of my ministry, even out of my city.
Yes, I am a leadership missionary. My personal mission is "to identify, develop, and encourage ministry leaders." It's often a tough job, but somebody's got to do it.
I'm glad that somebody gets to be me.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Leader Chat: Jeff Lawrence
Just had a great time catching up with Jeff Lawrence, pastor at Chatham Community Church. I love these leader-to-leader conversations. As usual with these, I came away with a list of books to read, web sites to check out, people to connect with, and thoughts to write about.
Jeff takes three weeks off every summer to recharge. He said that getting away for 4-5 days isn't enough for him, that it's barely enough time for him to begin to unwind. The old model of pastoral ministry was to take a "sabbatical" of 3-9 months after 5-7 years of ministry, but in today's culture, that is probably an outdated model. Ministry is too fast-paced and the demands of leadership too constant. You risk missing too much by taking that much time away, and you risk burnout by not taking shorter breaks more often. I'm thinking I need more regular "silent retreats" and other short breaks during the year. Kind of like the Jeff Galloway method of running pain-free by taking frequent walk breaks.
We also talked about The Leadership Lab and how it might be able to help his church. He is working to transition the culture at Chatham and to develop more leaders. I left our conversation feeling once again that The Lab is onto something and has the potential for tremendous impact in leaders, churches and ministries in this part of the country and beyond.
Jeff's recommended resources: two talks from Advance The Church, one by Mark Driscoll about becoming a missiologist, and one by Tyler Jones about the culture of the New South. I look forward to checking them out.
Good conversation, and a good vibe here at Foster's Market in Chapel Hill.
Jeff takes three weeks off every summer to recharge. He said that getting away for 4-5 days isn't enough for him, that it's barely enough time for him to begin to unwind. The old model of pastoral ministry was to take a "sabbatical" of 3-9 months after 5-7 years of ministry, but in today's culture, that is probably an outdated model. Ministry is too fast-paced and the demands of leadership too constant. You risk missing too much by taking that much time away, and you risk burnout by not taking shorter breaks more often. I'm thinking I need more regular "silent retreats" and other short breaks during the year. Kind of like the Jeff Galloway method of running pain-free by taking frequent walk breaks.
We also talked about The Leadership Lab and how it might be able to help his church. He is working to transition the culture at Chatham and to develop more leaders. I left our conversation feeling once again that The Lab is onto something and has the potential for tremendous impact in leaders, churches and ministries in this part of the country and beyond.
Jeff's recommended resources: two talks from Advance The Church, one by Mark Driscoll about becoming a missiologist, and one by Tyler Jones about the culture of the New South. I look forward to checking them out.
Good conversation, and a good vibe here at Foster's Market in Chapel Hill.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Bummer
Got to the Red Cross blood donation center and my blood pressure was too low (104/48) for me to donate. Pulse was 48, as well. I thought being healthy was supposed to be a good thing...
Ph.D. Devotional
Each week, one member of my Ph.D. cohort shares a devotional with the group as an encouragement on our journey. It was my turn this week.
Lifelong Learning
The ladies in our Life Group have committed to reading through the Bible in 2010. We are now in Nehemiah. One of the things that has struck me repeatedly through the Old Testament is how quickly people forget history.
In Exodus, there is a new Pharaoh who did not know of Joseph. Once the Israelites get into the wilderness, it doesn’t take long for them to forget how bad conditions were for them back in Egypt. Throughout the history of Israel, both commoners and kings repeatedly forget God’s rules, his character, and the miraculous works he has performed in their midst. It boggles my mind each time I read of a new king who did not learn from his predecessors and forgot God’s law. And these are supposed to be God’s chosen people!
As Ph.D. students, we have been challenged to be lifelong learners. I have generally viewed that challenge as applying to knowledge: of theology, of leadership, of ministry, of how to navigate Ecampus and WebX. But as I read through the Old Testament, I have been challenged to pursue the learning that leads to wisdom—that is, learning that changes the heart and doesn’t just fill the head.
That kind of learning is more painful. We struggle in relationship with life, with others, with Jesus Christ. We are bruised and humbled, and hopefully learn from these struggles and experiences and observations to become smarter – no, wiser – as a result. It is much harder to wrestle with God than with Kate Turabian.
Sometimes we must learn from others’ experiences instead of our own hard knocks. Do we pay attention to those who have gone before, or do we think that surely we are smarter than they, and that the laws of the universe do not apply to us? Beware of such pride; if we study history, we know that it goes before a fall.
Two weeks ago, I reconnected with seven dear friends for a birthday celebration in Chicago. It was a sweet time of laughter and late nights. It was also a time for me to reflect deeply on my life, and how these women, and my other relationships and life experiences, have shaped me as a person and as a leader. I have learned much as I have watched them and traveled with them, and this learning has made me a more compassionate leader and a more effective minister. Most importantly, it has made me a more Christ-like person.
A little-known pastor named Rick Warren once said at a pastor’s conference that if you stop learning, you stop leading. Let us all commit to the lifelong learning that transforms our hearts and souls, and therefore our ministry.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the ability to learn from the past -- ours, and others'. Help us to look at life experiences through the lens of learning, of constant growth and maturation. Thank you for those situations and relationships that challenge us, for it is the crucible and not the classroom that will change us the most. Amen.
Lifelong Learning
The ladies in our Life Group have committed to reading through the Bible in 2010. We are now in Nehemiah. One of the things that has struck me repeatedly through the Old Testament is how quickly people forget history.
In Exodus, there is a new Pharaoh who did not know of Joseph. Once the Israelites get into the wilderness, it doesn’t take long for them to forget how bad conditions were for them back in Egypt. Throughout the history of Israel, both commoners and kings repeatedly forget God’s rules, his character, and the miraculous works he has performed in their midst. It boggles my mind each time I read of a new king who did not learn from his predecessors and forgot God’s law. And these are supposed to be God’s chosen people!
As Ph.D. students, we have been challenged to be lifelong learners. I have generally viewed that challenge as applying to knowledge: of theology, of leadership, of ministry, of how to navigate Ecampus and WebX. But as I read through the Old Testament, I have been challenged to pursue the learning that leads to wisdom—that is, learning that changes the heart and doesn’t just fill the head.
That kind of learning is more painful. We struggle in relationship with life, with others, with Jesus Christ. We are bruised and humbled, and hopefully learn from these struggles and experiences and observations to become smarter – no, wiser – as a result. It is much harder to wrestle with God than with Kate Turabian.
Sometimes we must learn from others’ experiences instead of our own hard knocks. Do we pay attention to those who have gone before, or do we think that surely we are smarter than they, and that the laws of the universe do not apply to us? Beware of such pride; if we study history, we know that it goes before a fall.
Two weeks ago, I reconnected with seven dear friends for a birthday celebration in Chicago. It was a sweet time of laughter and late nights. It was also a time for me to reflect deeply on my life, and how these women, and my other relationships and life experiences, have shaped me as a person and as a leader. I have learned much as I have watched them and traveled with them, and this learning has made me a more compassionate leader and a more effective minister. Most importantly, it has made me a more Christ-like person.
A little-known pastor named Rick Warren once said at a pastor’s conference that if you stop learning, you stop leading. Let us all commit to the lifelong learning that transforms our hearts and souls, and therefore our ministry.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the ability to learn from the past -- ours, and others'. Help us to look at life experiences through the lens of learning, of constant growth and maturation. Thank you for those situations and relationships that challenge us, for it is the crucible and not the classroom that will change us the most. Amen.
Bloodletting
I have a blood donation appt. today at 2 p.m.
I hate needles.
But, my blood type is O-negative, which means I am a universal donor. Which means the American Red Cross LOVES me. So I go, every 56 days, which is as often as they will let me.
Really, a brief needle stick (two, counting the finger poke) and an hour or two every two months is a small sacrifice for the potential gift of life.
Plus, when else do you get to eat as many Little Debbies as you want?
Sunday, May 23, 2010
OK, Back To Me
I've tried the blogging thing before. Each time, I've quit after a few months. Yet here I am again. Why?
Well, I've got a lot of thoughts swimming around in my head, and the best way for me to sort through them is to put them in writing. I can type a whole lot faster than I can write with a pen and paper. So, this blog is for me. In the past, I put pressure on myself to post on a regular schedule, about limited topics, and for a broader audience.
Well, I've got a lot of thoughts swimming around in my head, and the best way for me to sort through them is to put them in writing. I can type a whole lot faster than I can write with a pen and paper. So, this blog is for me. In the past, I put pressure on myself to post on a regular schedule, about limited topics, and for a broader audience.
Not anymore.
This blog is my space. It's my word therapy. And I will post about whatever I'm thinking about or dealing with at the time: Family. Relationships. Ministry. Leadership. Ideas. Goals. Dreams. Frustrations.
My life. My blog.
Others are still welcome to read and comment. I've been told (and I believe those who tell me) that I'm a good writer. I'd like to think that there a few people who might benefit from my musings. But the person who needs to benefit most of all from this exercise is me, or I'll be finished again by the fall.
We'll see how it goes.
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