Monthly Archives: June 2012

•

Most everybody has been hissed at by a moody cat.

But have you ever had opportunity to be face-to-face with an overprotective gander?

One our favorite pastimes while vacationing at Fun Valley is to be accosted by the gander member of the Cananda Geese family.

We really start out feeding the goslings, but challenged by the father goose, the gander, it becomes a game to get closer and closer to the goslings while being hissed at. If you didn't know,  geese have little teeth. By not chickening out as the distance between me and the gander closed in- I saw them.

We make sure and have bread on hand to feed them and lure them in.  We have done it enough times now as to notice a pattern.

You see them coming, the goose, the goslings and then the gander-One big happy family.

They waddle near. And they wait.

We throw small pieces of bread, each piece nearer as to catch a close glimpse. The mom (goose) is just a bit smaller than the dad (gander).  The goose leads the way followed by the goslings.  The gander brings up the rear. Our eyes are usually on the babies. But this year, my sister noticed something.  While the goslings, and the goose are gobbling up bits of bread, the father stands behind and watches over the brood.

He doesn't eat when they eat.

He just stands tall and watches- hissing viciously at anyone who dares to bring them harm.

He has an impressive wing span too as he bats those wings warning you to step back if you get too close.

It's just as the goslings and mama are full and start to meander, that the dad grabs a few nibbles to-go and follows his family.

He wants you to know that his little ones are under his watchful eye;  under his constant protection.

Oh to have a father like that.

He will cover you with his feathers,

 and under his wings you will will find refuge;

 his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

-Psalm 91:4

 

 

•

Jason and I have been writing a weekly shared blog for about a month now.  Topics have come easily as we take turns choosing and starting.  It’s my turn.  I’ve tried to wait for the perfect prompt to pop into my head.  I’m tired of waiting.  I’m no good at waiting.  Just yesterday I burned my tongue on pizza though I knew it needed to cool. Waiting would be one of my shortcomings.  So here it is.  On this topic,  I’m the subject and Jason is the voice. We’re talking about impatience.

 

I’ve been impatiently trying to get Kristi to start this blog all week-long.  The irony is, when she finally did get it started, I made her wait half a day before I contributed anything to it.

I think we both have our areas of patience and impatience.  She has more patience with people and I have more patience with things.  You should see her when the computer freezes up.  I’m usually not there beside her when it happens but I can hear it from the other side of the house.  It’s not a scream, per se, but rather a sigh from the pit of her technologically frustrated soul that fills the air with angst.  You won't hear that kind of sigh when she’s teaching, though.  She seems to have the longsuffering of Job when it comes to kids. 

I think in both of our cases, impatience leads to unnecessary frustration.  We get too easily bent out of shape over things we cannot control.  In every case, when we let the things around us start yanking our inner chains, we find ourselves stumbling down a defeated path.

Impatience always finds an excuse to act.

That was Jason's response the last time I was explaining to him why I was doing something in a hasty fashion.  I believe it may have been a blog post.  I felt passionately about what I was saying.  I was determined that if I didn't post at that moment, that there was no use in posting it all.  Impatience is akin to impulsivity.  The nice word that I use for my acting upon my inner urging is spontaneous.

Passionate.  Determined.  Spontaneous.  Those are good qualities.  But acting with no regard to timing can be disastrous.  Ninety percent of the time, maybe you've noticed, my posts contain glaring errors because I was in such a state of hurry. I skip steps and misstep when cooking and cleaning not to mention other daily activities.

Being impatient can also be characterized as being graceless.  I have family members who experience mild but frequent road rage.  I have a touch of it now and then.  Impatience doesn't just mean that I have to do what I want to do NOW.  It also demands that others do what I want them to do with urgency. Though I refrain from honking I have little grace when someone doesn't instantaneously notice that the light is green.  Afterall I have places I need to be.

We are going to lose our patience.  It’s not a matter of IF it’s going to happen, it’s a matter of WHEN.  What can you do when your feel your patience running out?

Breathe—You cannot always control the things going on around you, but you can control some of the things that are going on within you.  Our psychological state affects our physiological state and vice versa.  When we get anxious our heart rate increases, our breathing becomes more rapid and shallow, and a myriad of other physical consequences of impatience start to appear.  If we focus on what we can control physically, it will help with what is out of control psychologically.  When we choose to breathe deeply,  and slowly, it helps calms us to the point where we can make rational decisions rather than impulsive ones.  This works for dealing with irritable computers and adorable children.

Find Your Valuables—I’m not talking about the rings and the gold.  I’m talking about your inner compass; that basket of beliefs you hold near and dear to your heart that helps direct your life.  When we get impatient, sometimes we make impulsive decisions that run roughshod over our highest beliefs and ideals.  It’s always good to have a short mental list of those values and beliefs that help determine our decisions.  Referring to these core values will help keep you from doing anything in your impatience that you will later regret. 

Patience Building Practices—Every one of us, whether we consider ourselves a patient person or not, has a limited capacity for being patient.  At some point everyone’s patience will run out.  It might take 10 computer crashes, 4 bad drivers cutting you off, and 27 screaming kids, but it will happen.  The good news is that we can increase our capacity for patience.  Consider these patience building practices:

  • Sleep.  I tell Hayden, “A good day starts the night before.”  If you are starting out your day tired and frazzled, impatience will be only one thing on a long list of things that make your day go badly.  Each morning that you wake up after a good night’s rest, you have a renewed capacity to endure those things that make you impatient.  Insuring a good night’s sleep helps to ensure a good day’s supply of patience.
  • Pray.  To improve patience, you need to practice trust.  We feel anxious and impatient when we feel that life is spinning out of control.  Prayer is practiced trust.  We pray to God who is unseen about things that we cannot control.  We trust that His power is great and that His will is good.  By placing our trust in God we reap the benefit of being able to patiently wait on the Lord to work His will in our world.  If you are not in the habit of prayer consider using the Lord’s prayer as a model for constructing you own, heartfelt prayers to God.  In the Lord’s prayer you are praying for daily provision (both spiritual and physical), personal shortcomings and the shortcomings of others, temptations we suffer, and about the presence of evil.  If you can’t categorize your impatience under one or more of these categories, you might have bigger troubles than what I can help you with.
  • Read.  When we start our day off with scripture, we reinforce the values that help direct our steps.  Not only does the study of scripture help reinforce our values, but the regular study of scripture helps us refine those values.  When we are dealing with the Bible, we are not dealing with pie-in-the-sky idealism but down to earth spirituality.  As God’s story becomes our story, the values present in God’s book become the values exhibited in our lives. 

For the friendship of two, the patience of one is required.

 

What causes you to lose your patience? 

What do you do to regain it? 

 

Check out Jason's blog- www.pastorburden.com

I'd love to hear from you. My email- www.kristiburden@gmail.com

 

 

• 2 Comments

•

Happiness is overrated.

I realize that may make me sound bitter or cynical.  Hopefully those of you who know me, know that I'm normally a happy person.

Though I've seemed to contradict myself, please keep reading.

HAPPINESS

We chase after it.  And when we find it we try to hold on.  But happiness, like the helium in a bright-colored balloon, doesn't stay.  It fills us temporarily making our world seem big and bright like a bouquet of balloons only to be deflated into a sad shrunken mess attached to knotted ribbons.

 

I was having a conversation (....ok, it was more like a lecture) with one of my children who was unhappy with me a couple of months ago. Out of a deep well of knowledge I had no idea existed I proclaimed,

"I want you to be happy, but my job is not to keep you happy".  I'm not really sure if it sunk in, but I haven't forgotten that statement.

I want to be happy.  I want my children to be happy, but is that what is most important?  I can't remember a single time that cleaning their bedroom or doing homework made them happy. Nor does getting a shot or being disciplined fill their desire.  Cleaning house doesn't make me happy.  Still the above mentioned chores and unpleasant experiences are at times necessary.

I'm guilty of bribing and rewarding to sugarcoat the unpleasant. Sometimes sugar-coating works, but like medicine disguised in jello, the bitter taste  remains.

Contentment in Christ

Happiness is often right smack in the way.  Pursuing happiness often keeps us from growing into maturing Christians.  And if we seek all of the things we want, the things that make us happy, we're often headed down a path contrary to the path of  discipleship. It takes both sunshine and rain to grow.

Happiness is dependent on circumstances.

Contentment in Christ is deep satisfaction that comes from God who is always enough.

Contentment stays, as God stays.

...I have learned to be content no matter the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.   -Philippians 4:11b-13

Through time spent with God, invite contentment into your life and the lives of your children.

The secret?

 You'll find that along with contentment, happiness  - its frequent companion, will visit often too.

 

 

.

•

In case you missed yesterday's post, or in case you forgot-I'll remind you that Hayden (along with forty other Nederland friends) are at camp.  Fuge Camp is being held at Glorieta Conference Center.

Glorieta is a sanctuary nestled in the rugged mountains of New Mexico; an escape from of day-to-day life.  Jason and the kids and I spent a day there before leaving Hayden with the youth group.

While there, I drank in the peaceful atmosphere; my surroundings still (apart from aspen leaves dangling overhead).  I wondered how God would work in the lives of the Nederland youth amongst hundreds of others.

From what I hear, God is surely moving. We have already heard reports of students accepting Christ as their Savior.  I feel certain that recommitments are being made as well.

  Glory.

Glory defined from its Latin roots is the manifestation of God’s presence.

Surely the presence of God is in this place.

Glorieta.

It means  “little glory”.

I have but a single prayer at this moment.

My prayer is that God would transform these students into “Little Glories”.

.....And the Lord --who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. - 1 Corinthians 4:18b

Please take a moment to pray for our youth group.  Pray a silent prayer or type your prayer in comments.

 

 

 

 

 

• 4 Comments

•

Jason and I dropped Hayden off with thirty- something youth from our church.  More than ever I am burdened to pray for them.  I can’t exactly put my finger on it; can’t recall certain incidents that require urgent prayer on behalf of our youth.  I can only explain it like this.

On our vacation, Jason and I hiked up a mountain in the San Juan National Forest.  I was quite impressed with us.  It was over a two hour hike.  Jason brought a small bottle of water.   I took a swig  somewhere near the top.  But  I didn’t feel thirsty;not even when we finished our climb and had reached our cabin below.  It wasn’t until I was handed a water bottle some time after we returned that I took a drink, and kept on drinking.  I drank an entire bottle of water.

I’ve read that much of the time when people are dehydrated, they don’t know they are dehydrated.

Naturally we drink when we’re thirsty.  The problem is that we don’t always feel thirsty.

I think of our church and what it provides.  Our church like most churches is full of servants who love God and love people.  Bible Study, worship, fellowship opportunities and other activities exist to fill us to overflowing,  with the knowledge of God. We have the Word of God in our grasp and prayer at the tips of our tongues.

Most importantly, the Spirit of God who is in our presence quenches our thirst.

It's good to thirst.

But what about times we don't even realize we're thirsty.

We find ourselves in a world, and in an age where we have so much.

This is especially true for our young people.  Often as a parent I find myself allowing my children to be disillusioned by prosperity, comfort pleasure and success.   As parents we seek to temporarily satisfy (our children) and an underlying thirst goes unnoticed.  I speak most loudly to myself.

A bird’s eye view of Glorieta, the place where our children are camped, would show on its map, thousands of trees. Composed of trees and rock-hard red dirt; it is a dry and thirsty land.  It would be easy to be lost in this forest of trees.

I’m thinking of Hayden.

I’m thinking of the two buses of youth we have at camp.

Are they lingering and satisfied? Or do they realize they’re thirsty; I pray that they would. I pray that at camp they would be lead to drink. I pray that when they return, that we would lead them to drink.  And I pray as they drink, they would increasingly know what it is to thirst.

And as they thirst…..

I pray they would KNOW a refreshing sanctuary is supplied in their midst.

Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters –Isaiah 55:1

I'm so thankful for Micah and Laurie who consistently and without reservation tirelessly serve our youth.  Thank you for the cool water you offer our youth. I'm thankful for our youth.  I'm also thankful for the sponsors who are at camp with our youth.  Please pray for great things!

•

I heard the news the moment we arrived!  We reached South Fork a day early.  We were trying to find accommodations for the night, with no luck.  Pretty much every hotel and lodge in the small town was full.

Walt Disney is filming "The Lone Ranger" in nearby Creede.  The crew and cast are being housed in the area.  This news meant that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, stars in the film, were somewhere in my vicinity.  For those of you who need a reminder, Johnny Depp is the despicable yet endearing pirate in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He will play the part of Tonto in "The Lone Ranger".

I knew at once that I had to tell everybody (making for a facebook post and a couple of texts).

I had to make plans too.

When are we going to Creede (the actual filming site)?

What am I going to wear when we go?

What would I say if I ran into Johnny on the streets there?

These questions filled my mind.  And that made me a little excited.

We didn't get to meet Johnny Depp or any other cast members. We did however get to walk the streets they walked.  We ate at a little cafe and heard stories from the locals about the filming.  We stalked the edge of the film set with cameras to the irritation of a security guard.

I am proud to say that we did get pictures of some of the props.  We got so close as to know some great secrets.  The train cars moved on a trailer rather than tracks. Wind in the movie is made by rather large fans and not nature. And the rocks in the train cars are NOT REAL!  And as I read online sources, I was reminded that Johnny Depp is human- he's really human.

Honestly, it was fun getting up close though not personal.  I enjoyed the pursuit of fame and power.  Over six million dollars was spent during the three weeks filming at Creede.  But I'm pretty sure the train scene will have lost some of its magic with me having seen the props; knowing the tricks.

I remember going to a Christian concert several years ago and getting to meet the one of the singers backstage.  Granted the guy was exhausted, but he was borderline cranky as we approached him from the end of the line.

 The guy was much more pleasant from a distance.

I guess that's the reality with people and even nature.  I sit here typing now thinking how Colorado is not quite as heavenly as I remember it.  My nose is dreadfully dry and stuffy.  My skin is cracked and dry. And the soles of our feet are black as soot from mountain dirt.

Even the rich and famous and the most glorious places disappoint.

Yet we chase.

I believe this chase occurs because God has placed a desire in us to pursue that which is greater.  The pursuits of the fleshly nature just never quite meet our expectations.

Just think.

What if we paid more attention to the urging of the spirit.

What if lay our heads down at night reveling in the day spent with the Almighty.

What if we woke with anticipation knowing that He who is indescribable will be walking by our side.

What if we even got up close and personal.  And we realized that He doesn't disappoint.

What if we allowed ourselves to be   .....starstruck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

•

For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"

made his light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge

of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay

to show that this all-surpassing power 

is from God and not from us.

-2 Corinthians 4:6-7

On one of my hurried afternoons, I was stopped in my tracks by this gorgeous leaf. I'd walked past this leaf countless times that same day.  I'd not kicked or swept it to the side, but I'd also not taken the time to notice it.  It was when the leaf took in the last rays of sun that day that I noticed it.  Momentarily I forgot everything else.  For several moments, I stood and I marveled.  I made sure to snap a picture though I'm sure that neither the picture nor my memory adequately captures the leaf's vibrance.

This leaf, on its own was ordinary.

-With the sun shining through it; it was captivating. 

• 4 Comments

•

Happy Father's Day; sounds funny telling you.  You're not my father, you're my husband.  But in being your wife I have had the pleasure that no one else has had of watching you be a father day in and day out. Sure there are others that observe your fathering skills.  And the kids are around you as much as I am.

But I see you.

I've seen the way you wrestle with Hayden.  When he was younger and couldn't hurt you, I watched you grab your side in mock pain and listened to you groan like it was unbearable. Now that he lacks two inches being your size, I watch you inwardly groan as he forces his weight on you. You laugh it off, though I'm pretty sure it's not funny. The kids always know what I'm feeling; I've never been able to hide that well. You always seem to know when you need to be heard and when to be silent.

 

You've changed diapers. In addition to chick flicks, you have suffered ad nauseam every Disney movie made. You've played Pretty Pretty Princess, and you played it well- even when the earring didn't match what you had on. You've been the fun guy.  You've been the bad guy. You have stood firm, when I simply wanted to please. Oh how I've been thankful for that. You were the one that Hallie looked to; the one whose hand she grasped firmly while showing the world her decision to follow Christ through baptism. What a blessing-you've baptized Hayden too. You have been there to cheer accomplishments and to comfort through disappointments. 

 

I've witnessed you attend tea parties. You've brushed and fixed hair. You've taught the kids to compliment meals even when Griffin wouldn't eat the leftovers. By example you have always taught the children to hold me in high esteem even when I didn't deserve it. You've proudly smiled the "that's my girl" smile at Rylie countless times.  And though I know you want the same things for Rylie that I want, you are the one who is patient.  You are the one who trusts when I am determined to make things happen. You exemplify peace in the midst of chaos.

You're the kind of man, husband, and father I hope Hayden someday to be.

You're the kind of man and husband  I pray the girls will someday  find.

You're the kind of man, husband and friend I'm glad to have.

 

• 6 Comments

•

If you ever see me eating M&Ms you can be certain that they melt in my mouth AND in my hands.  -That's because I've microwaved them for as long as I can remember.  Before you start thinking that I'm crazy, know that I'm not the only one who does this. My siblings do it too.  And our children microwave their M&Ms.  My mom even has a stack of small microwavable bowls and a large container stocked with M&Ms at all times.

The origin of intentionally melting our M&Ms is quite simple. For years, my Dad drove eighty or more miles everyday from our small town to his workplace in Arlington.  He worked long hours and then had a long drive home.  I remember being excited along with my brother and sisters when we would hear his truck driving down the dirt road returning home.  We were doubly excited when, many times Dad would get out of his truck and then pat his shirt pockets.  That signal let us know that he had stopped on the way home to get M&Ms for each of us.  Having stayed in his pocket for the trip, the M&Ms were always melted to perfection.

My Dad

Having tasted my M&Ms that way, I have abandoned eating them any other way.  I mean, I may have tossed a few of the unmelted candies in my mouth if they were offered to me or if I see a bowl of them at a party.  But I hold no affection for them.

The candies I love are reminiscent of my father's love. They represent a father who, though busy and tired, took the time to make his children feel special and loved. They bring back time spent with my father. I am thankful my children and my nieces and nephews have experienced the thrill of seeing Papa pat his pocket.

We live over three- hundred miles away from my Dad now. My Dad is still the hardest working man I know.  We look forward to finding time between demanding schedules and distance to spend time together. Even over geographical distance, M&Ms are still eaten melted at the Burden house. I don't remember who started microwaving the M&Ms. Like many other things, my siblings and I would probably each assume lone credit.  But I think we would agree on one thing. The melted M&Ms serve as a reminder that our lives have been blessed having been warmed by our father's heart.

You must know Dad.

Through your provision,

through your sacrifice,

through your love,

and simply through your presence,

you have colored my world and warmed my heart.

 

• 1 Comment

•

We had a God's Girlies gathering yesterday.  I think I can speak for everybody when I say it was fun. 

Banana Extravaganza 

The Bunch

The girls went to three different stations.

The girls made "Banana Boats".  They were easy and delicious-two of my favorite cooking words. I'll post the recipe soon.

We made Go Banana Cookbooks with banana inspired recipes.

Last but not least, we had devotion time and a game of Bananagrams

They learned that once in their maturing state, bananas grow up as they sense the sun. Likewise as we sense the "son" we are called to grow up as well, allowing things that once held weight in our lives to be replaced with the things of God - the fruit of the Spirit.

For the full devotion, go the search box and type in "grow up".  It should pull up the devotion "Grow Up. Be the Better Banana".

There was even a little backyard time left.

Good times.

Good Friends.

All because of a Good God!

Thanks to all the moms.  Thank you for coming.  Thank you for your help.  I continue to be certain that these investments in our girl's lives are invaluable.

Excited to announce-God's Girlies T-shirts to come! Check out our facebook page.