Odds and Ends: Some Really Good Reads

Here are a few good reads that seemed worthy of sharing. They are not at all related to one another, but they are all things that have impacted me this past week.    

First, this blog post on poverty. I read it last week and have been thinking about it ever since.  I am reading and processing it both as a new resident of Oakland (which you may have heard has some economic challenges), and as the leader of The GreenHouse.  My challenge as a new resident of Oakland is to not only be acquaintances with people who are "poor," (neighbors, classmates at the boys' school, people in neighborhoods I'm too scared to go in) but to actually do life with them.  Imagine the blessing that could come from those friendships!  Meanwhile, my challenge as Executive Director of The GreenHouse is to continually lead volunteers away from doing things for the poor in a non-relational, cross-the-good-deed-off-my-list-for-the-year manner and instead create opportunities for people to develop mutually beneficial relationships with the poor.  Everyone needs to start somewhere, but we all need to continually strive for the next layer in our care for the poor (and their care for us).  If you're interested, you can read the blog post here.

Second, a prayer out of my devotional book.  It was spot-on what I needed last week.  A lot of my idols were rearing their ugly head last week and I was feeling particularly broken, so it was good for me to read this prayer over and over (and over) again.  

Living God, you are the one true God, 

eternal, 

almighty, 

everywhere present, 

filled with compassion, 

knowing all things,

most wise, 

perfectly holy, 

always patient, 

overflowing with goodness and truth.   

All my idols are reflections of my broken self, and only as I fall down and worship you do I find myself whole again.  

 Amen.  

Third, this blog post written by the amazing Jen Smith.  Many of you have prayed for this family for the last several years.  It's time to pray again.