Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Il est a l'heur pour Le Tour
There are three key personalities that are responsible for creating my obsession with the bicycle: Cheer, Lance and Le Tour.
Dad was a big fan of Greg LeMond, the first American Tour de France winner, and he bought his first serious road bike around the time LeMond won the last of his three Grand Boucles in 1990. It was 9 years later that Dad drew me into the sport, fascinated by a former phenom turned miracle Tour winner riding for a no-name team in 1999.
Dad referred me to the books, and I found a hero. While there are plenty of things about Lance that are less than savory, I undoubtedly admire this man's ability to figure out what he wants, and to go for it. That tends to be a trait, I think, of people who have been pushed to the edge of something bigger than themselves. In Lance's case, it was death, which dwarfs Mount Ventoux and L'Alpe d'Huez. They guy figured out that in order to maximize his life, he needed to recognize and prioritize what really mattered to him. I like that, and I do that. And like Lance, I want to help others do the same thing.
My fascination with the man turned into a fascination with the peloton. There is not a sport, that I have found, that has more personality. In order to be successful, you have to understand yourself and you have to understand others. There is not a greater community sport. Nowhere have I found competitors respecting and helping each other in ways that cyclists do.
This is the best example I can think of. Ulrich essentially had a chance to win the Tour here, and finally eclipse the man to whom he had finished second multiple times since winning the 1997 Tour. But because of Ulrich's respect for Lance, the sport, and in an effort to repay a similar act Lance had made in an earlier race, Ulrich slowed, and gave Lance a chance to recover.
Cyclists share pizza, we share beer, we share bottles, we share wheels, we share effort. Our best friends here in Jackson are our paceline partners. I expect something similar will happen in our next town.
All this to say, Le Tour de France depart Samedi a 8 heur. Vous pouvez le regarder aux Etats Unis a Versus. Vive Le Tour!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Granola Bars!
Recently, I decided that it was time to start making all the things I have wanted to make for a long time but always put off for one reason or another. A few months ago, it was smoothies. I am still on a smoothie kick—they are SOOOO good! Throw together some yogurt, orange juice, and whatever fruit is around, and you have a great recovery drink after a ride or just an afternoon snack. Charles just brought home some peaches, and I can’t wait to add them this afternoon! Then, a few weeks ago, I finally made the chocolate chip cookies we’ve been craving for months. The best part about these is leaving some of the dough raw in the fridge to snack on. We have some in there now that we plan to cook tonight, but I just might finish it at lunch! (just kidding, love, I will save you some!) Finally, I decided to make my own granola bars, something I have been wanting to do for at least a year ever since I discovered how many bad things are in store bought bars—is it really necessary to have that much sugar and partially hydrogenated stuff in them? I think not.
Wednesday I made a trip to one of my favorite places in Jackson: Rainbow Natural Grocery. All those bins of dried fruit and nuts and various types of flours just inspire me to want to try something new. I loaded up with dried mangoes, dates, apricots, some sort of green seeds (pumpkin maybe?), almonds, and honey, and last night I threw it all together into my first ever granola bar creation. I’m so pleased with the result! Charles enjoyed some with his coffee this morning and said that he would even bring these on a bike ride as an energy bar. Here is the recipe if you want to try them too!
2 cups regular oats, not instant
1 cup flour (I used unbleached all purpose but you can also try wheat)
¼ cup brown sugar (I might leave this out next time because they are pretty sweet)
½ cup wheat germ
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup honey
2 tsp vanilla
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan (I did mine in a glass pan).
2. Combine all dry ingredients. To these, I added almonds, dates, chopped dried apricots, and the pumpkin seeds. I meant to add the mangoes, but I accidentally ate them all! Oops. You can also add things like craisins or raisins, other types of nuts, dried papaya, dried apples or bananas, other seeds like flax or sunflower, chocolate chips, etc…
3. In a small bowl, beat the egg. Pour in the oil, honey, and vanilla and stir. One little trick: use the same measuring cup for oil and honey, but do the oil first. Then, when you put the honey in it, the oil that’s left in there keeps most of the honey from sticking. I like easy clean up. To the wet ingredients, you can also add peanut butter or mashed up bananas or my favorite: FIGS!! I can't wait to pick figs this summer--only about another month.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet. Stir well.
5. Dump into the greased baking pan, spreading evenly and pressing it in with your hands to pack it in and make it all stick together well.
6. Bake for about 22-25 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Let cool for a few minutes, but be sure to cut them before they cool completely because they harden as they cool. I think they're good cold, but I think they'd be fine sitting out too.
ENJOY!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Heatwave Triathlon
This past Saturday and Sunday were the type of days that I wish we could have every weekend. We've had some good weekends lately, but this past one was especially blessed. We managed to include almost all of my favorite things: time with friends and alone with the hubby, homemade pizza, cookie dough (eaten raw straight from the mixing bowl), 24 (finished Season 3!!), naps, walks, AMAZING weather, time by the reservoir (I love water!), and my favorite part: the Heatwave Triathlon. I have been looking forward to this event since we did it last year as our first triathlon. I think Charles was pretty excited about it too. We have both been feeling really strong lately, so we were looking forward to seeing if all this training would pay off. It did, and we were quite pleased with our results! I ended up 2nd in my age group and 15th out of about 95 women, and Charles finished 17th in his ultra-competitive age group of 47! We both improved our times from last year. It was a super day. Here are some pictures:
This is the “it is 4:45am” face. I am sometimes a bit too excited about life in the morning. He is getting used to letting me do crazy things like take pictures of him as he is trying to pack the car and “make funny noises” (this is what he calls it when I am talking and he is not listening, just hearing the “noise”…) while he is just trying to have some peace and quiet driving to the race. What can I say? I (most days) wake up ready to go! I have a bad case of what we call the "morning crazies." Exercise in the morning intensifies this disorder.
Here’s the swim start. I wanted to get a picture of his wave beginning (he was in wave 1 and I was in wave 4 so I figured I’d have plenty of time), but they shooed me out of the transition area before his wave began. The swim surprised both of us by its length (and by the fact that wetsuits were legal...huh? Wetsuits in Mississippi in JUNE?? Crazy weather. I thought the water felt great). I consider myself a fairly strong swimmer, and I came out of the water feeling a bit tired already and ready for a second breakfast! I was also surprised to see that it took me 18:02 when I did it in 12:44 last year…only to find out later that this year’s was long for a ½ mile and last year’s was short! I knew something must have been up with the distance because last year I spent at least 30 seconds trying to navigate around breast stroke dude who had given up swimming free style in favor of a stroke that left his legs flailing everywhere, including my face! Thankfully, both of us survived the swim both years without getting kicked or losing goggles. I love open water swimming but definitely need to practice more. Anyone want to go swim with me and the alligators in the rez?
On to the bike. The weather was PERFECT! It felt so good to be wet from the swim and on the bike in 70 degree weather. Unfortunately, my number attachment skills were less than perfect, so I spent at least the first 2 miles trying to keep my number (twisty-tied to my top tube and seat tube) from rubbing my left leg with every pedal stroke. Finally, I managed to reach behind to detach the seat tube twisty tie and pull my number forward on the top tube so I could crumple it and tuck in under my water bottle. This worked great until I needed a drink and had to reposition again. Alas, live and learn. We both had solid efforts on the bike. Charles averaged 22.2mph and I did 21.3mph. I was quite pleased with my new bike! This was my first race on it (well, first triathlon, I have done 2 small time trials). I think we’re going to make a great team, me and the Lightspeed. Now I must think of a name for him/her.
And finally, the run. This was the best I have ever felt running after being on a bike, and Charles certainly ran well too, missing his 10k PR by only 2 seconds! He averaged 7:24 minute miles and I just barely achieved my goal of breaking 8 minute miles by running 7:57s. I am determined to get my run faster. Part of my problem is that I have been happily trotting along at 8 minute miles for years now, and it is going to HURT to get faster. I have a love/hate relationship with speedwork—it hurts a lot but certainly improves times. However, Charles and I ran a 10k this morning more than a minute faster than I did in the race, so I know I have it in me. I have also enjoyed 3+ years without any running injuries and am therefore a bit hesitant to change what’s been working! The other problem with triathlons and running is that I HATE running when it is hot (and I consider anything over about 50 degrees to be “hot” when running…)—my heart rate just goes through the roof and I get so thirsty! My averaged heart rate for the whole 2+ hours of this race was 171bpm, so I can’t imagine when it would have been if it had been hotter! We’ll find out at our next tri at the end of July, the Heart of Dixie. All in all, it was such a fun race, and I can’t wait for the next!
Afterwards, we got to hang out by the reservoir for a birthday party for Caroline, the one year old daughter of one of Charles’s classmates (Caroline and Charles have regular play dates on Fridays while he is working the front desk and Caroline’s mom sees clients—he gets especially excited about finding Muppet songs on YouTube and singing along with them!) Saturday finished off with a stellar, much needed nap, a good pizza dinner, lots of raw cookie dough, and the movie Shrek. Fun times.
Sunday we went to church and then had a wonderful recovery ride, just the two of us on the Natchez Trace, riding along without any computer to know how fast we were going, just enjoying the views. Sometimes drivers on the Trace scare me to death (it is supposed to be a SCENIC HIGHWAY people, not an interstate!), but it is worth the risk to get to ride by the water (except on those crazy windy days). So that was our weekend—one of my favorites so far this year. It was a great time to enjoy life and realize how much we have to be thankful for.
Oh, and one more thing to celebrate: CHARLES FINISHED HIS 500 CLINICAL HOURS TODAY!!! HOORAY!!!
This is the “it is 4:45am” face. I am sometimes a bit too excited about life in the morning. He is getting used to letting me do crazy things like take pictures of him as he is trying to pack the car and “make funny noises” (this is what he calls it when I am talking and he is not listening, just hearing the “noise”…) while he is just trying to have some peace and quiet driving to the race. What can I say? I (most days) wake up ready to go! I have a bad case of what we call the "morning crazies." Exercise in the morning intensifies this disorder.
Here’s the swim start. I wanted to get a picture of his wave beginning (he was in wave 1 and I was in wave 4 so I figured I’d have plenty of time), but they shooed me out of the transition area before his wave began. The swim surprised both of us by its length (and by the fact that wetsuits were legal...huh? Wetsuits in Mississippi in JUNE?? Crazy weather. I thought the water felt great). I consider myself a fairly strong swimmer, and I came out of the water feeling a bit tired already and ready for a second breakfast! I was also surprised to see that it took me 18:02 when I did it in 12:44 last year…only to find out later that this year’s was long for a ½ mile and last year’s was short! I knew something must have been up with the distance because last year I spent at least 30 seconds trying to navigate around breast stroke dude who had given up swimming free style in favor of a stroke that left his legs flailing everywhere, including my face! Thankfully, both of us survived the swim both years without getting kicked or losing goggles. I love open water swimming but definitely need to practice more. Anyone want to go swim with me and the alligators in the rez?
On to the bike. The weather was PERFECT! It felt so good to be wet from the swim and on the bike in 70 degree weather. Unfortunately, my number attachment skills were less than perfect, so I spent at least the first 2 miles trying to keep my number (twisty-tied to my top tube and seat tube) from rubbing my left leg with every pedal stroke. Finally, I managed to reach behind to detach the seat tube twisty tie and pull my number forward on the top tube so I could crumple it and tuck in under my water bottle. This worked great until I needed a drink and had to reposition again. Alas, live and learn. We both had solid efforts on the bike. Charles averaged 22.2mph and I did 21.3mph. I was quite pleased with my new bike! This was my first race on it (well, first triathlon, I have done 2 small time trials). I think we’re going to make a great team, me and the Lightspeed. Now I must think of a name for him/her.
And finally, the run. This was the best I have ever felt running after being on a bike, and Charles certainly ran well too, missing his 10k PR by only 2 seconds! He averaged 7:24 minute miles and I just barely achieved my goal of breaking 8 minute miles by running 7:57s. I am determined to get my run faster. Part of my problem is that I have been happily trotting along at 8 minute miles for years now, and it is going to HURT to get faster. I have a love/hate relationship with speedwork—it hurts a lot but certainly improves times. However, Charles and I ran a 10k this morning more than a minute faster than I did in the race, so I know I have it in me. I have also enjoyed 3+ years without any running injuries and am therefore a bit hesitant to change what’s been working! The other problem with triathlons and running is that I HATE running when it is hot (and I consider anything over about 50 degrees to be “hot” when running…)—my heart rate just goes through the roof and I get so thirsty! My averaged heart rate for the whole 2+ hours of this race was 171bpm, so I can’t imagine when it would have been if it had been hotter! We’ll find out at our next tri at the end of July, the Heart of Dixie. All in all, it was such a fun race, and I can’t wait for the next!
Afterwards, we got to hang out by the reservoir for a birthday party for Caroline, the one year old daughter of one of Charles’s classmates (Caroline and Charles have regular play dates on Fridays while he is working the front desk and Caroline’s mom sees clients—he gets especially excited about finding Muppet songs on YouTube and singing along with them!) Saturday finished off with a stellar, much needed nap, a good pizza dinner, lots of raw cookie dough, and the movie Shrek. Fun times.
Sunday we went to church and then had a wonderful recovery ride, just the two of us on the Natchez Trace, riding along without any computer to know how fast we were going, just enjoying the views. Sometimes drivers on the Trace scare me to death (it is supposed to be a SCENIC HIGHWAY people, not an interstate!), but it is worth the risk to get to ride by the water (except on those crazy windy days). So that was our weekend—one of my favorites so far this year. It was a great time to enjoy life and realize how much we have to be thankful for.
Oh, and one more thing to celebrate: CHARLES FINISHED HIS 500 CLINICAL HOURS TODAY!!! HOORAY!!!
Friday, May 1, 2009
JMC TT Series: Race 1 results
The first Jackson Metro Cyclists Individual Time Trial Series race was this past week. Here are the results, broken down by category:
Advanced
1. Frank Moak 14:20
2. Stacey Eckerson 14:53
3. Bo Bourne 15:10
Intermediate
1. Jeff Finch 16:42
2. Brandon Willmoth 16:42
3. Charles Shepard 16:50
4. David Church 16:51
5. Jason Horne 17:25
Women
1. Nicki Shepard 18:16
Nicki and I both reached our time goals. She wanted to break 19 minutes. I wanted to go under 17. She averaged 22.38 mph over the 6.8 mile course in Madison County. I averaged 24.23. I think our next goals include, for me, hitting 25 mph average, and for Nicki, just getting some other ladies out to participate.
Advanced
1. Frank Moak 14:20
2. Stacey Eckerson 14:53
3. Bo Bourne 15:10
Intermediate
1. Jeff Finch 16:42
2. Brandon Willmoth 16:42
3. Charles Shepard 16:50
4. David Church 16:51
5. Jason Horne 17:25
Women
1. Nicki Shepard 18:16
Nicki and I both reached our time goals. She wanted to break 19 minutes. I wanted to go under 17. She averaged 22.38 mph over the 6.8 mile course in Madison County. I averaged 24.23. I think our next goals include, for me, hitting 25 mph average, and for Nicki, just getting some other ladies out to participate.
Monday, April 27, 2009
The Silent Partner Finds a Voice
Well friends, it has been far too long since we have posted updates, so I (Nicki, aka the “Silent Partner”) decided to take it upon myself to give you a brief summary of our year so far. This may end up being more of a pictorial update as I am more of a photographer than a blogger, but hey, something is better than nothing, right?
Overall, we have had a great start to this year. Charles has been knocking out his 500 clinical hours and has less than 50 relational hours remaining. Whatever he has been doing to convince his clients to keep coming back seems to be working! In all seriousness, he is truly enjoying his clinical work, and it is obvious that he is very gifted in the therapy room. He will complete his spring semester coursework in the next few weeks, leaving only one hour of academic work to finish this summer. It is an exciting yet somewhat anxiety-producing time for us as we realize the end is fast approaching! We have been exploring some job opportunities in Virginia and will keep you posted as we get more definite direction regarding our future plans.
The biggest update for me has been my recent confirmation that I do in fact want to pursue a career in therapy, specifically equine therapy. When I finished my therapy degree 2 years ago, I was burned out and just wasn’t sure that God was calling me to do therapy, hence my current job in Career and Academic Development. For awhile, I was thinking that continuing to work in higher education might be the best fit for me. However, over spring break, I got the opportunity to spend my days off shadowing at a barn here that does equine therapy called Equine Healing Solutions. They had a group of eight guys come out who were all in treatment for drug/alcohol dependency. In a nutshell, equine therapy is an experiential form of therapy using the horse to facilitate sessions with all work done on the ground (no riding involved). Horses have a unique ability to mirror human emotions, so the horse’s behavior in response to the client provides a starting point for processing what’s going on with the client (for example, if you’re scared or angry, the horse behaves much differently than when you’re relaxed). The client’s relationship with the horse becomes a key part of the therapy. It was amazing to me what came up in these sessions! Having grown up riding horses, I see this as the perfect way to unite my love for these animals and the outdoors with my passion to help people heal through therapy. I know I’ve been pretty vague here, but I’d love to tell more about this type of therapy—just ask!
Apparently I had more to say than I thought! Before I get carried away, I will post some pictures of our adventures so far this year.
Tuesday, January 13th marked our two year anniversary! I was a bridesmaid in my friend Katie’s wedding the following weekend (she was also a bridesmaid in our wedding), so Charles and I thought we’d just celebrate our anniversary while we were in Atlanta. I searched long and hard through all the bed and breakfasts in the Atlanta area using two main criteria: reasonable cost and a nice Jacuzzi tub. I finally found Laurel Hill Bed and Breakfast. It was delightful.
Team Blessed Endurance made its first race appearance at the Run Thru History 10k on Saturday, March 7th in Vicksburg. Our lack of running specific training coupled with the unusually hot weather resulted in less than impressive times,
but we enjoyed the course as always, and Charles especially enjoyed the free beer at the end! The next weekend we posted more impressive race results at the Warhawk Triathlon in Monroe, LA, where I won my age group and Charles placed 5th in his ultra competitive age group! This race got us super excited for the start of triathlon season. Our next race will be the Heatwave Triathlon on June 6th in Ridgeland, MS.
We continued the endurance trend on April 11th
by completing the Natchez Trace Century Ride with an average speed of close to 21mph! We then spent the rest of the weekend trying to replace the 5,000+ calories that we burned by having a 
homemade pizza party with our cycling buddies on Saturday night and a potluck Easter dinner with good friends from church and RTS on Sunday. I even made homemade yeast dinner rolls for the first time for this special occasion.
The weekend of April 18th marked another significant endurance event for us: a marathon viewing of Season 1 of 24! We knocked out 18 or the 24 episodes that weekend, and finished the season this past Saturday. I think I am addicted. I have to confess that I had some anxiety come up this past Wednesday when it occurred to me that we would not be able to continue watching it for THREE DAYS due to our busy schedules! Can't wait to start Season 2...
This past weekend we drove up to Oxford, MS, for the Double Decker Festival. We rode the 66 mile bike ride Saturday morning, but I think Charles mainly went to get one of the legendary ice cream sandwiches that was “as big as his face.” He finished not only his, but also about half of mine! I was very impressed.
Well, that about sums up our year so far! We are looking forward to the other adventures 2009 will bring, and we will try to update more often! For now, I'll leave you with some pictures of the beautiful spring we've had this year.
Overall, we have had a great start to this year. Charles has been knocking out his 500 clinical hours and has less than 50 relational hours remaining. Whatever he has been doing to convince his clients to keep coming back seems to be working! In all seriousness, he is truly enjoying his clinical work, and it is obvious that he is very gifted in the therapy room. He will complete his spring semester coursework in the next few weeks, leaving only one hour of academic work to finish this summer. It is an exciting yet somewhat anxiety-producing time for us as we realize the end is fast approaching! We have been exploring some job opportunities in Virginia and will keep you posted as we get more definite direction regarding our future plans.
The biggest update for me has been my recent confirmation that I do in fact want to pursue a career in therapy, specifically equine therapy. When I finished my therapy degree 2 years ago, I was burned out and just wasn’t sure that God was calling me to do therapy, hence my current job in Career and Academic Development. For awhile, I was thinking that continuing to work in higher education might be the best fit for me. However, over spring break, I got the opportunity to spend my days off shadowing at a barn here that does equine therapy called Equine Healing Solutions. They had a group of eight guys come out who were all in treatment for drug/alcohol dependency. In a nutshell, equine therapy is an experiential form of therapy using the horse to facilitate sessions with all work done on the ground (no riding involved). Horses have a unique ability to mirror human emotions, so the horse’s behavior in response to the client provides a starting point for processing what’s going on with the client (for example, if you’re scared or angry, the horse behaves much differently than when you’re relaxed). The client’s relationship with the horse becomes a key part of the therapy. It was amazing to me what came up in these sessions! Having grown up riding horses, I see this as the perfect way to unite my love for these animals and the outdoors with my passion to help people heal through therapy. I know I’ve been pretty vague here, but I’d love to tell more about this type of therapy—just ask!
Apparently I had more to say than I thought! Before I get carried away, I will post some pictures of our adventures so far this year.
Tuesday, January 13th marked our two year anniversary! I was a bridesmaid in my friend Katie’s wedding the following weekend (she was also a bridesmaid in our wedding), so Charles and I thought we’d just celebrate our anniversary while we were in Atlanta. I searched long and hard through all the bed and breakfasts in the Atlanta area using two main criteria: reasonable cost and a nice Jacuzzi tub. I finally found Laurel Hill Bed and Breakfast. It was delightful.
Team Blessed Endurance made its first race appearance at the Run Thru History 10k on Saturday, March 7th in Vicksburg. Our lack of running specific training coupled with the unusually hot weather resulted in less than impressive times,
but we enjoyed the course as always, and Charles especially enjoyed the free beer at the end! The next weekend we posted more impressive race results at the Warhawk Triathlon in Monroe, LA, where I won my age group and Charles placed 5th in his ultra competitive age group! This race got us super excited for the start of triathlon season. Our next race will be the Heatwave Triathlon on June 6th in Ridgeland, MS.We continued the endurance trend on April 11th
by completing the Natchez Trace Century Ride with an average speed of close to 21mph! We then spent the rest of the weekend trying to replace the 5,000+ calories that we burned by having a 
homemade pizza party with our cycling buddies on Saturday night and a potluck Easter dinner with good friends from church and RTS on Sunday. I even made homemade yeast dinner rolls for the first time for this special occasion.The weekend of April 18th marked another significant endurance event for us: a marathon viewing of Season 1 of 24! We knocked out 18 or the 24 episodes that weekend, and finished the season this past Saturday. I think I am addicted. I have to confess that I had some anxiety come up this past Wednesday when it occurred to me that we would not be able to continue watching it for THREE DAYS due to our busy schedules! Can't wait to start Season 2...
This past weekend we drove up to Oxford, MS, for the Double Decker Festival. We rode the 66 mile bike ride Saturday morning, but I think Charles mainly went to get one of the legendary ice cream sandwiches that was “as big as his face.” He finished not only his, but also about half of mine! I was very impressed.
Well, that about sums up our year so far! We are looking forward to the other adventures 2009 will bring, and we will try to update more often! For now, I'll leave you with some pictures of the beautiful spring we've had this year.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Redemptive themes in Scripture and my life
I've set out on a new goal this year to read the Bible from cover to cover before Dec. 31. I have this sense that I've probably read every book, but I'm not entirely sure. I know for a fact that I've not read them with an eye toward the big picture. To this point, I've read the individual books of the Bible with an eye toward what the specific book revealed about God, but I have not paid attention to what the Biblical narrative as a whole has revealed about God.
I'm following Bible Gateway's chonological plan. I think it's different enough to hold my attention. At least it has been for the first 34 days of the year (I know, it's not quite a tenth of the calendar, so I suppose that's not much of an endorsement). I'm reading Scripture with an eye toward the redemptive theme throughout. While Jesus' death and resurrection are the ultimate redemptive story, it's not the only redemptive story in Scripture. Each one points toward the Cross and the Stone rolled away.
I've read through Job, where I read what I believe is God's treatise for counselors -- first how not to do it (2:11-31:40) and then how to do it (32-42). Today, I'm approaching the end of Genesis, and I'm in the midst of reading about Joseph and his complex family system;)
I have been struck this morning by the redemptive theme in Joseph's story (Genesis 37-50), particularly when it comes to the preservation of God's chosen people. If you're not familiar with the story, Joseph was favored by his father Jacob (a.k.a. Israel), and IMO had more than a hint of arrogance in his youth. He was a dreamer of dreams that didn't forebode well for the rest of his family (Gen. 37:1-11). He had the gall to tell his 10 older brothers about them, and they predictably resented him for it. In an effort to deal with their resentment, they turned on Joseph and sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt, serving Pharaoh's captain of the guard.
Well, dreaming, or at least the interpretation thereof, turns out to serve Joseph well while he is in Egypt. An interpretation of a couple of Pharaoh's ominous dreams about impending famine in the country helps Joseph find favor with the king and, thus, a high position in government. When famine strikes the region, Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy the food and provisions the country has stored in response to the warnings of the Pharaoh's dreams.
Genesis 45:4-5ff is a strikingly beautiful passage for it's redemptive themes. "Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God has sent me before you to preserve life..."
God redeems his people using the sin of his people and making good out of it. God has taken an event marked distinctly by the brokenness and sin of his people and used it to give not only a good gift, but to give his best. The pattern reminds me of a terrible breakup I once had, marked by sin on my part and the part of others. However, God has used that event to grow me and to preserve me for Nicki, whom I believe is God's provision for me, and I for her.
But most of all, Joseph's story reminds me of the Cross. An event marked distinctly by the sin of God's chosen people and used not only to give a good gift, but The Atonement.
I'm at a loss for words. Thank God he has given me his.
I'm following Bible Gateway's chonological plan. I think it's different enough to hold my attention. At least it has been for the first 34 days of the year (I know, it's not quite a tenth of the calendar, so I suppose that's not much of an endorsement). I'm reading Scripture with an eye toward the redemptive theme throughout. While Jesus' death and resurrection are the ultimate redemptive story, it's not the only redemptive story in Scripture. Each one points toward the Cross and the Stone rolled away.
I've read through Job, where I read what I believe is God's treatise for counselors -- first how not to do it (2:11-31:40) and then how to do it (32-42). Today, I'm approaching the end of Genesis, and I'm in the midst of reading about Joseph and his complex family system;)
I have been struck this morning by the redemptive theme in Joseph's story (Genesis 37-50), particularly when it comes to the preservation of God's chosen people. If you're not familiar with the story, Joseph was favored by his father Jacob (a.k.a. Israel), and IMO had more than a hint of arrogance in his youth. He was a dreamer of dreams that didn't forebode well for the rest of his family (Gen. 37:1-11). He had the gall to tell his 10 older brothers about them, and they predictably resented him for it. In an effort to deal with their resentment, they turned on Joseph and sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt, serving Pharaoh's captain of the guard.
Well, dreaming, or at least the interpretation thereof, turns out to serve Joseph well while he is in Egypt. An interpretation of a couple of Pharaoh's ominous dreams about impending famine in the country helps Joseph find favor with the king and, thus, a high position in government. When famine strikes the region, Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to buy the food and provisions the country has stored in response to the warnings of the Pharaoh's dreams.
Genesis 45:4-5ff is a strikingly beautiful passage for it's redemptive themes. "Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God has sent me before you to preserve life..."
God redeems his people using the sin of his people and making good out of it. God has taken an event marked distinctly by the brokenness and sin of his people and used it to give not only a good gift, but to give his best. The pattern reminds me of a terrible breakup I once had, marked by sin on my part and the part of others. However, God has used that event to grow me and to preserve me for Nicki, whom I believe is God's provision for me, and I for her.
But most of all, Joseph's story reminds me of the Cross. An event marked distinctly by the sin of God's chosen people and used not only to give a good gift, but The Atonement.
I'm at a loss for words. Thank God he has given me his.
Monday, January 26, 2009
A comment on comments
Hey gang, love comments on this blog. I'd like it to be a place where differing opinions can come together peacefully. I'm into the idea that peaceful discourse heightens awareness to different perspectives, and thus encourages emotional, spiritual, even political growth.
That being said, I think the anonymous comment at the end of this post lacked a peaceful bent. I think it did more to take away from growth than encourage it.
In the future, I will not publish anonymous posts that do not include a name or a way to make contact in the body of the comment.
Leaving a post, especially when it is aggressively combative, without a name is cowardly. Such practice denies the victim a chance to defend him or herself, revealing the fears of the attacker. It smacks of bullying, not to mention inhibitive of a progressive process.
That being said, I think the anonymous comment at the end of this post lacked a peaceful bent. I think it did more to take away from growth than encourage it.
In the future, I will not publish anonymous posts that do not include a name or a way to make contact in the body of the comment.
Leaving a post, especially when it is aggressively combative, without a name is cowardly. Such practice denies the victim a chance to defend him or herself, revealing the fears of the attacker. It smacks of bullying, not to mention inhibitive of a progressive process.
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