do you ever tell yourself you're going to do something...
and then you never do it?
i'm such a slacker.
over and over again i make myself lists.
here's my to do list for tonight...
-go to the post office
-do social work homework
-call sentry insurance
-fill out financial application
-set up a new email account
-tan
-go biking
-pack up the apartment
-wash dishes
guess what i've done so far.
i have gone to the post office, set up a new email account, and that is all.
something is wrong with me. and now i want to go to sleep.
goodness gracious... where does motivation come from!?!
i need me some!!!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wildflowers, Jesus, and Ryan Goode :)
In open fields of wildflowersShe breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daisies and the roses in no simple language
Someday she'll understand the meaning of it all...
Sitting silent wearing Sunday best
The sermon echoes through the walls
A Great Salvation through it calls to the people who stare into nowhere...
And can't see the chains on their souls
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close as a heartbeat or song on their lips
Someday they'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call them and they will come running...
And fall in His arms... the tears will fall down and they'll pray:
"We want to fall in love with You! We want to fall in love with You!"
Seems to easy to call you Savior. Not close enough to call you God.
So as I sit and think of words I can mention to show my devotion...
"I want to fall in love with You! I want to fall in love with You!"
This evening I stole Liz's bike for an hour or so and went on a super awesome bike ride through my favorite place... there are these trails down by the Kankakee River in town behind Perry Farms that go through the woods. I love riding down there. And then... if you go far enough, there's this awesome clearing and just fields that also have trails. Today as I was riding I was just overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. The flowers were gorgeous!! They looked like that picture I found online before... but even better... big sunflowers and pink and orange and purple flowers plus huge tall grasses and white flowers and birds and a little tree here and there. I found myself singing that song over and over, and then found myself stuck on that last verse about people sitting in church hearing the sermon and yet never catching the great salvation, the power, the love, the freedom calling to them behind those words. This past weekend I hung out with this amazing guy... Ryan Goode... pictures below for your look see ;)... and he preached on Sunday about how we are called to live Jesus' resurrection. Jesus isn't dead. He's alive. Why do we live without his power, love and freedom available through his great salvation? Then, tonight I read in John 4:35 where Jesus says "Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest!" What are we waiting for!?! What's holding me, you, us back from living in that resurrection? Often I find myself waiting for the next stage of life... I say to myself, "When I just get out of this internship and really start using my gifts as a social worker... that's when I'll serve God fully." Yeah right!! That day is today!! I need to wake up and smell the roses.
So as I sit and think of words I can mention to show my devotion...
"I want to fall in love with You! I want to fall in love with You!"
Jesus, help me fall deeper in love with You and as a result to live fully in You and adequately show those around me Your resurrection power without waiting for a "more perfect time" to do so. I love you Jesus. Thank you for your great salvation. Help me to not miss its calling.
This is Ryan Goode. He's cool. :)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
typical family vacate rap
So today I was really missing Jonathan and I searched on my computer to see if I could find a video of him cuz I figured I had some funny ones. Well I found one... typical family vacate... this was on our way back from some Burkey Family Thanksgiving party... Jonathan rapping, Caleb beat-boxing, Anna singing crazy echoes in the background, and me not having a clue how to contribute to the beautiful noise laughing hysterically and trying to capture the moment with my camera. (And no one ever knows what Mom and Dad are up to!) I was trying really hard not to laugh so you wouldn't hear my obnoxiousness and miss the rap, I even remember having tears in my eyes from holding back my laughter, but ya know, sometimes you just can't hold it in. (Listen for Caleb in the last laugh!)
Enjoy. I miss you Jonathan. And family.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Addiction.
Lately I've been seriously thinking about addiction. And substance abuse. And hope. And getting people unhooked. And I've been thinking about the things that I'm addicted to. And how the apostle Paul says in Corinthians "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food but I will not be mastered by anything." I don't want to be mastered by anything. I don't want to be in bondage to anything. And my heart breaks as I look around and see countless people addicted. To substances. To sex. To violence. To pleasure. To lies. To false hopes. To money. To food. To anything and everything that is flashy and eye catching or dull and promising. Addicted. Trapped. Enslaved. No hope. No promise, or even glimpse of escape. Stuck.
Five times in the last two weeks I've had the opportunity to encourage people addicted to substances: alcohol, cocaine, marijuana; to be free from their bondage. Five times I've said "It's not about what I want. It's about where you are and what you want. You don't have to quit. But I promise you that if you decide you want to, you can." Five times I've talked about support groups and accountability and replacing the addiction with something else. And then I read this and it just hit me... this is what I'd done five times. This is truth. Here freedom is available. Check this out... it's taken from the book "Sex God" by Rob Bell.
There's a passage in the book of Ephesians where it's written, "Those who have been stealing must steal no longer." Which is quite straightforward - don't steal. But the passage doesn't end there. It continues: "but must work, doing something useful with their own hands." But it doesn't stop there. It ends with: "that they may have something to share with those in need."
On the first read, the instructions seem as basic as it gets. But there is much going on here just below the surface. First, the command doesn't stop with the "don't" part. The writer understands that that kind of instruction rarely helps. When we're told not to do something, how often are we truly compelled not to do it, especially if we enjoy it? If it's just me against the lust, the odds are already against me.
But there's something else going on here.
Stealing involves large amounts of adrenaline. The rush of planning, pulling it off, not getting caught, getting something for nothing. And then there's the expectation of next time. If we got something this significant for free, could we steal something even more valuable? What if we raised the stakes, hit a store with a better security system, tested ourselves? Stealing involves the senses, the intellect, a person's fear threshold. It even has a powerful social dynamic. Stealing with someone creates powerful bonds between people. When our adrenaline is pumping, that's a physiological phenomenon. It feels good becasue things are happening with the chemicals in our bodies, with our nerves and brain and bloodstream. If we do that enough, our bodies get used to it.
We could use the word addicted. A person gets addicted to it.
If you tell a person who's stealing not to, and you leave it at that, you've taken something away, but you haven't replaced it with anything. That's why the instructions in Ephesians are so brilliant. The urging to stop stealing is followed by the command to have the person do "something useful with their own hands". The word useful is the Greek word agathos, which is also translated "good" and "benevolent".
Why does the writer mention the hands? Because you steal with your hands. Stealing is a sensory experience, an adrenaline rush involving the hands. The command is to replace one adrenaline rush with another, a better one, one that's good. But it doesn't stop there. The command ends with the person who was stealing learning to do something good with their hands so that they can take care of the needs of someone else. Stealing is about taking from someone. This passage is about giving to someone who has less because you have more. Stealing is the ultimate in being selfish. Making something and giving it away is the ultimate in being generous.
This passage is about something central to what it means to be human. It's about desire. It's about the thief finding something they'll desire more than stealing.
"You thought taking things for free was a rush? Try giving free food to someone who's starving!"
The writer of Ephesians understands that to tell the thief not to steal and leave it at that doesn't have a very high chance of being helpful. The thief will be left with a battle on their hands that will pit them against their craving.
Whatever it is that has its hooks in you, you will never be free from it until you find something you want more. It's not about getting rid of desire. It's about giving ourselves over to bigger and better and more powerful desires.
What if I could empower others to give themselves over to bigger and better and more powerful desires? What if I did that like St. Francis of Assisi and I "preached the gospel at all times but rarely used words"? Christ is the ultimate desire, the bigger, the better, the all powerful solution to any kind of craving and addiction as in Him is real freedom. And what if I could be a part of pointing others to Him simply by encouraging them to search for something with which to replace their desire? To search for something that is bigger and better and more powerful? Wouldn't they eventually accidentally simply just bump into Christ? Because if not, I wanna know what desire is bigger, better, and more powerful than the freedom He offers.
I don't think there is one.
Five times in the last two weeks I've had the opportunity to encourage people addicted to substances: alcohol, cocaine, marijuana; to be free from their bondage. Five times I've said "It's not about what I want. It's about where you are and what you want. You don't have to quit. But I promise you that if you decide you want to, you can." Five times I've talked about support groups and accountability and replacing the addiction with something else. And then I read this and it just hit me... this is what I'd done five times. This is truth. Here freedom is available. Check this out... it's taken from the book "Sex God" by Rob Bell.
There's a passage in the book of Ephesians where it's written, "Those who have been stealing must steal no longer." Which is quite straightforward - don't steal. But the passage doesn't end there. It continues: "but must work, doing something useful with their own hands." But it doesn't stop there. It ends with: "that they may have something to share with those in need."
On the first read, the instructions seem as basic as it gets. But there is much going on here just below the surface. First, the command doesn't stop with the "don't" part. The writer understands that that kind of instruction rarely helps. When we're told not to do something, how often are we truly compelled not to do it, especially if we enjoy it? If it's just me against the lust, the odds are already against me.
But there's something else going on here.
Stealing involves large amounts of adrenaline. The rush of planning, pulling it off, not getting caught, getting something for nothing. And then there's the expectation of next time. If we got something this significant for free, could we steal something even more valuable? What if we raised the stakes, hit a store with a better security system, tested ourselves? Stealing involves the senses, the intellect, a person's fear threshold. It even has a powerful social dynamic. Stealing with someone creates powerful bonds between people. When our adrenaline is pumping, that's a physiological phenomenon. It feels good becasue things are happening with the chemicals in our bodies, with our nerves and brain and bloodstream. If we do that enough, our bodies get used to it.
We could use the word addicted. A person gets addicted to it.
If you tell a person who's stealing not to, and you leave it at that, you've taken something away, but you haven't replaced it with anything. That's why the instructions in Ephesians are so brilliant. The urging to stop stealing is followed by the command to have the person do "something useful with their own hands". The word useful is the Greek word agathos, which is also translated "good" and "benevolent".
Why does the writer mention the hands? Because you steal with your hands. Stealing is a sensory experience, an adrenaline rush involving the hands. The command is to replace one adrenaline rush with another, a better one, one that's good. But it doesn't stop there. The command ends with the person who was stealing learning to do something good with their hands so that they can take care of the needs of someone else. Stealing is about taking from someone. This passage is about giving to someone who has less because you have more. Stealing is the ultimate in being selfish. Making something and giving it away is the ultimate in being generous.
This passage is about something central to what it means to be human. It's about desire. It's about the thief finding something they'll desire more than stealing.
"You thought taking things for free was a rush? Try giving free food to someone who's starving!"
The writer of Ephesians understands that to tell the thief not to steal and leave it at that doesn't have a very high chance of being helpful. The thief will be left with a battle on their hands that will pit them against their craving.
Whatever it is that has its hooks in you, you will never be free from it until you find something you want more. It's not about getting rid of desire. It's about giving ourselves over to bigger and better and more powerful desires.
What if I could empower others to give themselves over to bigger and better and more powerful desires? What if I did that like St. Francis of Assisi and I "preached the gospel at all times but rarely used words"? Christ is the ultimate desire, the bigger, the better, the all powerful solution to any kind of craving and addiction as in Him is real freedom. And what if I could be a part of pointing others to Him simply by encouraging them to search for something with which to replace their desire? To search for something that is bigger and better and more powerful? Wouldn't they eventually accidentally simply just bump into Christ? Because if not, I wanna know what desire is bigger, better, and more powerful than the freedom He offers.
I don't think there is one.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
another missionary update!! :)
KATIE SWEET IS GOING TO PORTUGAL!!!!How freakin hot is that!?! She leaves in two days for six weeks... yet another of my friends serving God overseas and doing kingdom missions work for Him!! One of the ladies at my work, Becky, is leaving for Louisiana on Monday... she'll be there with a team of students from her church serving God and working with hurricane relief all next week. So... add these two people: Katie Sweet and Becky to that missionary list and pray for them this week!! You could also pray for my friend Justin in Korea!! He's a professor of English there and too needs prayer!!
And me... this week's a hard one. The hospital has been more stressful and difficult than it has been before and I feel like I'm developing a stomach ulcer and a canker sore from the worry and my tendency to bite my lip when I get nervous or anxious. :) I think I get discouraged because I don't see how I'm serving God and I'm anxious to be in a place where I can use my gifts and not be messing up and stressing others out all the time. But I know He's using me and I know there are people that simply need me to smile and listen. So I'll continue on, but I guess I too covet your prayers... even though I'm not on a mission adventure.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
this week's missionaries... ;)
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40:28-31
Yes, I am a nerd, but no I do not care. Today I watched Psalty Kids Praise 5's Camping Trip. I absolutely LOVE Psalty!! He said something that hit me and made me think about my friends doing missions this week around the world. He said "You don't have to trust God for the strength to make it to the top of the mountain. You only have to trust God for the strength to take one more step." This post is dedicated to my friends serving God through missions and I ask that you pray with me for them this week... that God would not give them the strength all at once to complete the work they want to do, but that step by step He would give them the strength to do in each moment what it is He's calling them to do! :) Be blessed, friends. I wish I was serving God next to you... but be assured that I'm praying for you this week and for the rest of the time you are away on your endeavor for Jesus!! I love you!! :)
This is my friend Ryan Goode serving God in Pascagoula, Mississippi this week
with the Indianapolis District Teens. Check out their ministry at: Mission to the Gulf
He will not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40:28-31
Yes, I am a nerd, but no I do not care. Today I watched Psalty Kids Praise 5's Camping Trip. I absolutely LOVE Psalty!! He said something that hit me and made me think about my friends doing missions this week around the world. He said "You don't have to trust God for the strength to make it to the top of the mountain. You only have to trust God for the strength to take one more step." This post is dedicated to my friends serving God through missions and I ask that you pray with me for them this week... that God would not give them the strength all at once to complete the work they want to do, but that step by step He would give them the strength to do in each moment what it is He's calling them to do! :) Be blessed, friends. I wish I was serving God next to you... but be assured that I'm praying for you this week and for the rest of the time you are away on your endeavor for Jesus!! I love you!! :)
This is Kate Myatt serving God in Ghana, Africa and
Jonathan Burkey, my hot brother, serving God in Italy.
This is Angie Morgan serving God in Argentina.
Check her out at: http://www.angie-missionargentina08-09.blogspot.com/
Jonathan Burkey, my hot brother, serving God in Italy.
This is Angie Morgan serving God in Argentina.Check her out at: http://www.angie-missionargentina08-09.blogspot.com/
This is my friend Ryan Goode serving God in Pascagoula, Mississippi this weekwith the Indianapolis District Teens. Check out their ministry at: Mission to the Gulf
Friday, July 04, 2008
july fourth
well.
this was the first july fourth i've ever spent without family or popcorn or sparklers.
jobo's in italy.
mom, dad, caleb, and anna are in idaho.
and i'm dreaming of indi.
(not really but it started with an i and i thought i'd continue in the pattern. ha.)
this year i hung out with before tomorrow a little...
we watched fireworks in the ghetto.
and i missed lima.
so, i thought i'd reminisce and put up some hot shots of "the good ole days"...
fireworks aren't really a "bring your camera" event, so i don't have many from over the years but here are a few...
summer after freshman year i was at rob park in lima with the family and tons of friends from church. here's two... one of me and james... can you tell i didn't want to miss any of the fireworks? ha... and then my friend tytus and lydia lighting sparklers.
the summer after my sophomore year i was in oklahoma with my family and the bible quizzers from our church over the fourth. i don't really remember where we watched the fireworks... but we were together. and i hung out with tommy and abe too!! here's a shot of jonathan and my good friend allison that traveled with my family on that nice little vacate... :)
last year was SO much fun!! last year the fourth fell during lima camp... the first church camp our youth group put on for itself. it was so awesome!! big chap came and spoke and on the fourth we all went to marysville church of the nazarene (where chris and amy davis were recently wed!! oh and they were there too... that rocked!) and watched some pretty lousy fireworks in the church parkinglot. but we had sooo much fun... and like the WHOLE bus ride home every two minutes jacob kline and i would do a hand check with the kids. it was funny. and we sang humpty dump and everyone wanted to shoot me for being loud. :) ha ha. but my favorite part was that the kendalls came up for the fireworks... and dylan and dawson and i took some GREAT pictures. these make me smile so hard!! i hope you enjoy these shots of me and my little buddies as much as i do!! i wish i had one with austin and noah in the picture too!!
i hope this blog doesn't sound depressing.
i'm not depressed. i saw fireworks and they were pretty good.
i just miss my family.
i hope you had an awesome fourth of july!!
this was the first july fourth i've ever spent without family or popcorn or sparklers.
jobo's in italy.
mom, dad, caleb, and anna are in idaho.
and i'm dreaming of indi.
(not really but it started with an i and i thought i'd continue in the pattern. ha.)
this year i hung out with before tomorrow a little...
we watched fireworks in the ghetto.
and i missed lima.
so, i thought i'd reminisce and put up some hot shots of "the good ole days"...
fireworks aren't really a "bring your camera" event, so i don't have many from over the years but here are a few...
summer after freshman year i was at rob park in lima with the family and tons of friends from church. here's two... one of me and james... can you tell i didn't want to miss any of the fireworks? ha... and then my friend tytus and lydia lighting sparklers.
the summer after my sophomore year i was in oklahoma with my family and the bible quizzers from our church over the fourth. i don't really remember where we watched the fireworks... but we were together. and i hung out with tommy and abe too!! here's a shot of jonathan and my good friend allison that traveled with my family on that nice little vacate... :)
last year was SO much fun!! last year the fourth fell during lima camp... the first church camp our youth group put on for itself. it was so awesome!! big chap came and spoke and on the fourth we all went to marysville church of the nazarene (where chris and amy davis were recently wed!! oh and they were there too... that rocked!) and watched some pretty lousy fireworks in the church parkinglot. but we had sooo much fun... and like the WHOLE bus ride home every two minutes jacob kline and i would do a hand check with the kids. it was funny. and we sang humpty dump and everyone wanted to shoot me for being loud. :) ha ha. but my favorite part was that the kendalls came up for the fireworks... and dylan and dawson and i took some GREAT pictures. these make me smile so hard!! i hope you enjoy these shots of me and my little buddies as much as i do!! i wish i had one with austin and noah in the picture too!!
i hope this blog doesn't sound depressing.
i'm not depressed. i saw fireworks and they were pretty good.
i just miss my family.
i hope you had an awesome fourth of july!!
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