as a small backup reminder of the freedom God has to offer when you take risks, i decided to ink it on my foot. its part of a bigger picture , later there will be a tree ( get it? roots, wings)
also the other picture is of me passed out- kaylee nursed me back to health while my tattoo artist decided it was a good opportunity to take a cigarette break . "Let mes knows when she come around , mate" was his response.
if anyone has spent an ample time in the church you have probably heard the message a few times. it usually begins with a personal testimony of how that person was trying to find their identity in the world's offerings but was discontent so they tried out God. they soon realized that their identity was in Christ. We are children of God and should find our value in Him. and then what? do we live happily ever after because we found ourselves? not really.
oddly enough I had this realization during a discussion of Australian foreign policy and their relationship with the US. Maybe i was thinking about how blessed we are as a nation because of that, we should be conducting ourselves a little differently than the rest of the world. in my disgust with America's figures spent on the war and our unnecessary demand for Lexuses, botox, and heated toilet seats- there was a sick feeling that creeped in.
I am hardly walking around as if the most high God , the Creator of the universe, came down to earth and was nailed to a cross to be with me. HOLY SHIT . HOW DO WE LOSE SIGHT OF THAT?
I am so blessed! I have an abled body and mind and a family that loves me. it is my responsibility to use that in furthering the kingdom.
So theres more to this identity issue. we're children of God - our worth comes from Christ but what do we do with that? how should we then live differently because we have accepted God's gift of life with Him.
someone wise said we cant do everything- but we must do something.
so i made a few lifestyle commitments.
1. luxury tax: if i purchase clothing , shoes, purses, jewelry. i will give half the amount to some type of relief fund. ( world vision, Restore NYC) I have already made the choice to not buy clothes for a year (started May 12) which was tough but good in Sydney. I had to buy a few jackets/scarfs/dancewear because i was not planning on the weather but i left most of them there and charged myself 100%. Eventually i would love to be able to do 100% tax for everything instead of 50 but hey- i gots to start small.
2. stop using plastic bags. this is quite a choice for me because before coming to Aus i refused to believe that bringing your own bag would do a thing, i never believed in recycling nor thought much about if the planet fell apart in a few 100 years. But as christians we have a responsibility!
3.memorize scripture. its the word of God- it should be written on our hearts! a verse a week. come on, people memorize the whole Koran. this is not difficult
4. only purchase fairtrade coffee and chocolate. not going to lie- this has been difficult. but it makes you aware of corporations who are and aren't ethically sound. there are children working overtime with cocoa beans who have never tasted chocolate in their lives!
by publishing these i am asking you to keep my accountable. What are maybe some things you want to change about the way you live? start small! consistency speaks volumes. let's do life together.
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