This is a 20 video that is well worth your time. This is Brene Brown's TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability, from 2010. It is a talk that challenges me and stirs in me a hunger to embrace and move more deeply into the uncomfortable terrain of vulnerability. In the coming weeks, several women are going to make bold moves of vulnerability in sharing their stories and themselves through this blog and at our September 19th En Route Gathering (you can get the details here).
I am reminded of something Kelly Boyce shared at our July En Route Gathering...honest self-reflection is daring and takes courage, but the gospel gives us the courage and confidence we need to be vulnerable, knowing we are undergirded by God's love and grace.
Brene's message is so good!!! I hope you can take the time to pause, to listen, and receive.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
I Spy: Hope
Your Invitation to See, Pray, Do on Friday, Aug 31st
In my head—where visions of my ideal self reside well fed and contented—I am a stellar spy. Actually, I’m one of the best.In real life, I routinely lose at hide-and-seek.
As difficult as it is to admit, I could likely never pull off being a “leap across rooftops in a short leather skirt and take down national enemies with a kiss” type of spy.
However, I’m learning to be a different kind of spy.
For the past year I’ve been invited to spy out hope in the most unexpected of places: among the sex-trafficked and traded.
I’ve had the opportunity to interview survivors and modern-day abolitionists throughout the US and SE Asia. I have heard gut-wrenching stories that have made me want to scream out in fury. And, I have listened to extraordinary tales of transformation that have struck me speechless.
Young women…and young men…turned into commodities. Some captivated by force; others imprisoned by the hope of love, the need for money or the fear of death. And some of these young women and men have been rescued, liberated and actively helping others.
On this journey I have seen more potent pictures of the Gospel than I’ve ever encountered before.
This August 31st, I invite you to become a spy too. Please join me to hear a couple of short stories of the trafficked in SE Asia and find out what is happening right here in Charlotte. A survivor who was trafficked in the Carolinas will share a bit of her story and the creative and soulful work she is doing to help stem the sex-trade in Charlotte. We will also take time pray for the hundreds, if not thousands, who will be brought in and exploited during the DNC. And, you will find out ways you can make a difference in this fight and not only spy out hope but also spread it.
DATE & TIME: Friday, August 31 // 7:30-9:00pm
LOCALE: Warehouse 242
RSVP: tamarapark@mac.com
INVITE FRIENDS? Of course!
WANT TO HELP WITH THE EVENT? Fabulous. Contact me at tamarapark@mac.com.
Thanks!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Naming
Do you pick a theme for your year every January? I do. I think a lot of people do, but I also think a lot of us forget about it a few months into the year just like we forget about our renewed commitment to exercise or read more or whatever. But there is something significant about putting a name to things. It gives clarity.
At the marriage class this past Tuesday, (which has been so good by the way if you were unable to attend). Palmer asked "What do you expect or want from marriage? What makes an A+ marriage?" I love that question because it is so easy to rock along in life never naming who you want to be, what you want to be core in your life, your goals, your vision for life. This can be applied to almost anything. Your career. Parenting. The culture you desire for your family and home. Your struggles. Your crisis. Whatever season you are in. Something happens when you name it. It is a powerful thing.
Palmer also quoted Zig Ziglar who says, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." But even more tragic than "hitting nothing" is missing God in the moments of your life.
We meet God in the naming. The past few months have been hard ones for me. And then this past week has been a week of upheaval and heartache for me personally. It has been a week of grief and loss. So yesterday morning I opened my journal back to January and I read through my conversation with God about the year 2012. I read about my desire to surrender control and know Him in weakness, to posture myself in such a way that invites Him to carry me, lead me, hold me. To not be so self-reliant. I also read about my theme for the year of courage, courage of heart.
I have some heros when it comes to courageous hearts. And in January 2012 I journaled about these women. One friend's courage to forgive and heal. Another friend's courage to hope when it would have been easier to "move on." And our brave Libba Armenta's amazing courage to truly Live in the moment amidst tremendous grief and sorrow. I wrote,
"Each of these women have courageously trusted their hearts to you when they could have "played it safe" and protected themselves. Some might even have considered it wise and prudent or "guarding their hearts" to have walled themselves off. Yet verses like "guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life" and "out of the heart the mouth speaks" speak of how incredibly valuable the heart is because it is the center and source out of which we live. We must care-well for our hearts (not wall them off) if we want to live well. Each of these women have chosen to embrace living from the heart and courageously, not naively, trusting you through the process."
Right now I find my heart is in a fragile place that I would not have chosen for myself, yet God was so very kind to whisper these words to me back in Janaury. To "aim" my heart towards this kind of heart courage. The words He spoke, the year He named for me back in January is orienting me through a disorienting time. It is anchoring me. His words are life. His words sustain me. His words can sustain you, too, but it begins with creating the quiet to pursue Him and hear Him. We must take the time to name where we are. We must pause to hear His namings, His vision and hope for our seasons.
This is what it is be a traveller. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, He is not safe, and so the journey isn't always safe either. It is not for the faint of heart. But He is good. He is good. He is good. He is good.
The theme of our retreat last March was Your Story Matters. And over the coming months we intend to share stories. Stories of Travellers. Stories of how God meets us. Wherever we find ourselves. He meets us. In broken and painful places. In ordinary moments. He is there. But sadly we can miss Him because we live with a lot of noise. We do not take time to listen to His whispers. We power through heartache and hardships. We numb ourselves with distractions. But He is there. If we will quiet ourselves, if we will seek Him and ask Him, He will speak to us. He will speak to us when our life feels like it is unraveling, and He will speak to us while we are washing the dishes. He cares about it all.
In September Libba Armenta will be sharing with us at our En Route Gathering about her journey as a traveller through the difficult loss of her daughter, Glory. And there are other stories that will be shared here, through our blog. But I encourage you to take pause and to invite God into your story today. To create some quiet space to hear from Him and name where you are. Name this moment, this season, wherever you find yourself. Encounter Him in the naming.
And if my life were to have a sound track, I would "name" this my theme song for the year.
What would be your theme song?
written by: Holly Norton
At the marriage class this past Tuesday, (which has been so good by the way if you were unable to attend). Palmer asked "What do you expect or want from marriage? What makes an A+ marriage?" I love that question because it is so easy to rock along in life never naming who you want to be, what you want to be core in your life, your goals, your vision for life. This can be applied to almost anything. Your career. Parenting. The culture you desire for your family and home. Your struggles. Your crisis. Whatever season you are in. Something happens when you name it. It is a powerful thing.
Palmer also quoted Zig Ziglar who says, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." But even more tragic than "hitting nothing" is missing God in the moments of your life.
We meet God in the naming. The past few months have been hard ones for me. And then this past week has been a week of upheaval and heartache for me personally. It has been a week of grief and loss. So yesterday morning I opened my journal back to January and I read through my conversation with God about the year 2012. I read about my desire to surrender control and know Him in weakness, to posture myself in such a way that invites Him to carry me, lead me, hold me. To not be so self-reliant. I also read about my theme for the year of courage, courage of heart.
I have some heros when it comes to courageous hearts. And in January 2012 I journaled about these women. One friend's courage to forgive and heal. Another friend's courage to hope when it would have been easier to "move on." And our brave Libba Armenta's amazing courage to truly Live in the moment amidst tremendous grief and sorrow. I wrote,
"Each of these women have courageously trusted their hearts to you when they could have "played it safe" and protected themselves. Some might even have considered it wise and prudent or "guarding their hearts" to have walled themselves off. Yet verses like "guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life" and "out of the heart the mouth speaks" speak of how incredibly valuable the heart is because it is the center and source out of which we live. We must care-well for our hearts (not wall them off) if we want to live well. Each of these women have chosen to embrace living from the heart and courageously, not naively, trusting you through the process."
Right now I find my heart is in a fragile place that I would not have chosen for myself, yet God was so very kind to whisper these words to me back in Janaury. To "aim" my heart towards this kind of heart courage. The words He spoke, the year He named for me back in January is orienting me through a disorienting time. It is anchoring me. His words are life. His words sustain me. His words can sustain you, too, but it begins with creating the quiet to pursue Him and hear Him. We must take the time to name where we are. We must pause to hear His namings, His vision and hope for our seasons.
This is what it is be a traveller. To paraphrase C.S. Lewis, He is not safe, and so the journey isn't always safe either. It is not for the faint of heart. But He is good. He is good. He is good. He is good.
The theme of our retreat last March was Your Story Matters. And over the coming months we intend to share stories. Stories of Travellers. Stories of how God meets us. Wherever we find ourselves. He meets us. In broken and painful places. In ordinary moments. He is there. But sadly we can miss Him because we live with a lot of noise. We do not take time to listen to His whispers. We power through heartache and hardships. We numb ourselves with distractions. But He is there. If we will quiet ourselves, if we will seek Him and ask Him, He will speak to us. He will speak to us when our life feels like it is unraveling, and He will speak to us while we are washing the dishes. He cares about it all.
In September Libba Armenta will be sharing with us at our En Route Gathering about her journey as a traveller through the difficult loss of her daughter, Glory. And there are other stories that will be shared here, through our blog. But I encourage you to take pause and to invite God into your story today. To create some quiet space to hear from Him and name where you are. Name this moment, this season, wherever you find yourself. Encounter Him in the naming.
And if my life were to have a sound track, I would "name" this my theme song for the year.
What would be your theme song?
written by: Holly Norton
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Scriptures for the Month
Below are the scriptures we hope you will join us in meditating on, and memorizing this month. Over the next few weeks, several women will share their thoughts and reflections on these verses. We would love to hear from you and know how God is speaking to you as you meditate on these verses.
God spoke: Let us make humans in our image, make them reflecting our nature.
(from Genesis 1 The Message)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139. 23, 24
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21- 23
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
God spoke: Let us make humans in our image, make them reflecting our nature.
(from Genesis 1 The Message)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139. 23, 24
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:21- 23
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29
Friday, July 27, 2012
Image Bearers
If you weren't with us last Wednesday, you missed a thought provoking conversation on the Spiritual Significance of Self-Awareness led by Dr. Kelly Breen Boyce. Here is a reminder of some of what we talked about.
Appreciating the beauty of God’s creation, I remembered a famous quote by one of the earliest church Fathers, St. Augustine:
Men go abroad to wonder at the height of mountains, the huge waves of the sea, the long course of rivers, the vast compass of the ocean, the circular motion of the stars...but they pass by themselves and don't even notice.
As impressive and majestic are the red rocks of Utah, we, as people created after God’s own image, are more robust reflectors of the glory and nature of God.
“God spoke: ‘Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature.’”
Genesis 1: 26
A prayer of response: Our Father, as we enjoy the beauty of your creation, may we be reminded that even much moreso than a majestic mountain range or the vast ocean, we most accurately reflect your nature and glory. With that firm belief, help us to tend to ourselves and others with great care and attention.
Written by: Dr. Kelly Breen Boyce
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Devoted (Part 2)
THEY DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO THE APOSTLES' TEACHING, AND TO FELLOWSHIP, AND TO THE BREAKING OF BREAD, AND TO PRAYER." ACTS 2:42
DEVOTED: committed, ardently dedicated and loyal (Merrian-Webster)What am I (are you) devoted to?
If I am honest, I am probably most steadfastly devoted to my morning cup of coffee. No matter when I wake up, how late I am running, even if we are out of coffee in the house, I make it happen. Without. Fail. I am also committed to my computer...email and the internet. I am committed to certain TV shows. I am committed to my phone. It is with me where ever I go. And the list could go on.
Of course I am also devoted to more substantive things in life. I am devoted to God--to walking with Him and yielding to Him, to my husband, my children, dear friends, etc. But as I contemplated devotion in my life, I was struck by how easily, even thoughtlessly devoted I am to some things, yet the more important things in life require discipline and intentionality to truly live a life of devotion beyond simple lip service. And I was also saddened by my devotion to somethings that actually takes me farther away from the person I want to be.
When does my devotion to things (bad or good) other than God cross the line into idolatry?
Of course I am also devoted to more substantive things in life. I am devoted to God--to walking with Him and yielding to Him, to my husband, my children, dear friends, etc. But as I contemplated devotion in my life, I was struck by how easily, even thoughtlessly devoted I am to some things, yet the more important things in life require discipline and intentionality to truly live a life of devotion beyond simple lip service. And I was also saddened by my devotion to somethings that actually takes me farther away from the person I want to be.
When does my devotion to things (bad or good) other than God cross the line into idolatry?
As Tim Keller says, idolatry is when we make a good thing into an ultimate thing. I loved Kelly’s talk last Wednesday because we so easily keep a pace in life that leaves no room for self-examination, no room to stop the busy doing, to silence the noise, and reflect. And that pause and reflection often exposes the idols of our heart and the insanity of how we live inconsistent with what we believe and value. We so easily drift into sleep-walking. So be it entertainment or money, our job, the noise of the phone and internet, materialism, whatever, or even more subtle things like our marriage or desire for it, our children, friendships, it is so easy for good things to creep in our hearts to a place of wrong priority and idolatry, to become ultimate things that we hinge our hope and happiness upon. It is so necessary to pause often and take inventory of our hearts. To confess and repent and re-align our hearts to God; to that which is true, and noble, and pure, and right, and lovely (Philippians 4:8).
What does it mean, what does it look like to be devoted to these things?
I love that the verse says, “They devoted themselves...” not that they were devoted to these things but that they actively committed themselves to these things. One translation actually says, “they were continually devoting themselves” showing that it wasn't one and done, but an ongoing choice. They intentionally together purposed to faithfully pursue these things. On Sunday, Kurt quoted Dallas Willard as saying, “grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.” The early church did not commit themselves to these things to make a new, ‘Good Christian Checklist’ for earning favor with God, but rather they understood that these disciplines or efforts would lead them toward ultimate things... towards knowing God and walking with Him.
THE APOSTLES' TEACHINGS
For us to be committed to the Apostles’ Teachings today, is to be committed knowing the scriptures, particularly, the good news of Jesus and the implications of salvation through grace. By reading the Bible we better know who God is and what He is like. We come to know His character is good and trustworthy. We come to know truth, most significantly in the person of Jesus. Devotion to truth is submitting to it. Letting the gospel inform every aspect of our lives, our choices and actions, even our view of ourselves and others.
FELLOWSHIP
I think Christians often romanticize fellowship or living in community. The truth is true fellowship requires sacrifice, caring for the needs of others, and it also requires transparency and vulnerability, a willingness to lovingly engage in the lives of others and to receive the same. We can often be in love with the idea of community, but overlook the cost. It isn’t always pretty. It almost always is messy. But if we allow it, it can be a place for encountering God and real transformation in our lives.
THE BREAKING OF BREAD
Some people believe “breaking of bread” is referencing communion while others think it actually is referring to sharing a meal together, sharing life together on an intimate level. I love both. It is in many ways, a restating and emphasis of the first two things--to remember Jesus, the cross, to stay anchored to the gospel, but Together--in a corporate context of relationships. To share the gospel and your life with one another in an intimate (again, not always easy or pretty but) authentic and deeply meaningful way.
PRAYER
To have a healthy, cultivated prayer life is to be surrendered and dependent upon God.
I love this John Ortberg quote that Marie Matthews posted on facebook last week. I think it does a beautiful job of giving us a vision for how prayer leads to a transformed life.
Prayer, more than any other single activity, is what places us in the flow of the Spirit. When we pray, hearts get convicted, sin gets confessed, believers get united, intentions get encouraged, people receive guidance, the church is strengthened, stubbornness gets melted, wills get surrendered, evil gets defeated, grace gets released, illness gets healed, sorrows are comforted, faith is born, hope is grown, and love triumphs. In prayer - in the presence of God - we come closest to being fully ourselves.
So this is the substance of our name, Warehouse 242. This is what we desire our DNA to be. What a beautiful and powerful thing if we truly purposed together to live this out.
written by: Holly Norton
What does it mean, what does it look like to be devoted to these things?
I love that the verse says, “They devoted themselves...” not that they were devoted to these things but that they actively committed themselves to these things. One translation actually says, “they were continually devoting themselves” showing that it wasn't one and done, but an ongoing choice. They intentionally together purposed to faithfully pursue these things. On Sunday, Kurt quoted Dallas Willard as saying, “grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.” The early church did not commit themselves to these things to make a new, ‘Good Christian Checklist’ for earning favor with God, but rather they understood that these disciplines or efforts would lead them toward ultimate things... towards knowing God and walking with Him.
THE APOSTLES' TEACHINGS
For us to be committed to the Apostles’ Teachings today, is to be committed knowing the scriptures, particularly, the good news of Jesus and the implications of salvation through grace. By reading the Bible we better know who God is and what He is like. We come to know His character is good and trustworthy. We come to know truth, most significantly in the person of Jesus. Devotion to truth is submitting to it. Letting the gospel inform every aspect of our lives, our choices and actions, even our view of ourselves and others.
FELLOWSHIP
I think Christians often romanticize fellowship or living in community. The truth is true fellowship requires sacrifice, caring for the needs of others, and it also requires transparency and vulnerability, a willingness to lovingly engage in the lives of others and to receive the same. We can often be in love with the idea of community, but overlook the cost. It isn’t always pretty. It almost always is messy. But if we allow it, it can be a place for encountering God and real transformation in our lives.
THE BREAKING OF BREAD
Some people believe “breaking of bread” is referencing communion while others think it actually is referring to sharing a meal together, sharing life together on an intimate level. I love both. It is in many ways, a restating and emphasis of the first two things--to remember Jesus, the cross, to stay anchored to the gospel, but Together--in a corporate context of relationships. To share the gospel and your life with one another in an intimate (again, not always easy or pretty but) authentic and deeply meaningful way.
PRAYER
To have a healthy, cultivated prayer life is to be surrendered and dependent upon God.
I love this John Ortberg quote that Marie Matthews posted on facebook last week. I think it does a beautiful job of giving us a vision for how prayer leads to a transformed life.
Prayer, more than any other single activity, is what places us in the flow of the Spirit. When we pray, hearts get convicted, sin gets confessed, believers get united, intentions get encouraged, people receive guidance, the church is strengthened, stubbornness gets melted, wills get surrendered, evil gets defeated, grace gets released, illness gets healed, sorrows are comforted, faith is born, hope is grown, and love triumphs. In prayer - in the presence of God - we come closest to being fully ourselves.
So this is the substance of our name, Warehouse 242. This is what we desire our DNA to be. What a beautiful and powerful thing if we truly purposed together to live this out.
written by: Holly Norton
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Devoted (Part 1)
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to the breaking of bread, and to prayer." Acts 2:42
This post will be Two Part. First I am going to pose some questions around our namesake verse here (did you know that Warehouse 242 got it's name from Acts 2:42?) I would love to hear your thoughts. Please chime in on the comment section of this post or feel free to email me, if you prefer (women@warehouse242.org). I will write a follow up post in a few days, but first I wanted you to have a chance to think on the questions yourself.DEVOTED: committed, ardently dedicated and loyal (Merrian-Webster)
What am I (are you) devoted to? If you are like me, you can start with your morning cup of coffee and roll it out from there:-)
When does my devotion to things (bad or good) other than God cross the line into idolatry?
What does it mean, what does it look like to be devoted to these things?
•The Apostles' Teachings
•Fellowship
•The Breaking of Bread
•Prayer
written by: Holly Norton
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