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| From neon to ink |
1. "Fresh"
The definition itself, and its relation to life, faith, love...
- Original
- Full of or renewed vigor; life
- Of great quality
- New, newness, newly
- Unlike the others; uncommon
- Attracts
- Not faded
- Just arrived
- Immediate pursuit
- Re-creation
- Desirable taste
- Reached, but not passed the optimal stage (of maturity, for use)
- Seeing new in the proper light
- Renewal
And it goes on, and on...
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| Pike Place Market |
2. Seattle
A tribute to this city- where we celebrated our wedding and new marriage with a honeymoon (March 2010), received new direction while on a visit out here (late '10), and now lived in from '12-'13, (and of course Grey's). Our honeymoon, that visit, and living here have all represented a new beginning. And maybe even a challenge from which the fresh could then flow. The ways we have grown and continue to grow as a result of our time in this city, continue to prepare us for what is still ahead in the future. God has given me a unique time of very specific equipping, in understanding myself and my story, that will help me in serving fatherless youth. A time to dream up and receive from. The culture, our friends, our church. Seattle is known for being a bright light despite the grey skies, always leading the way in innovation. Risk-taking for the greater good, that ol' "Pioneer Spirit". Pike Place Market (where "my" neon sign resides): a symbol of creativity, authenticity, and a favorite spot in the city. Always exciting, always entertaining.
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| 2013 Space Needle |
3. Upstream
My "Seattle Pastor" Mark Driscoll introduced this awesome idea of what it means to live "upstream". It represents our heart to live on mission in the city.
- "If you want to clean up the river, you start upstream" (At the source).
- "To effect change you get as far upstream as you possibly can" (The source influences what everyone along the river receives and experiences).
-"So it is culturally"
- "God's people need to get upstream and change things at the highest levels"
- "Culture is made upstream in cities" (Cities are the source of culture).
- "...Culture, and education, and art, and transportation, it emanates in the city and then it goes out to the rural areas"
- "...You have to move to a city, because that's where the clubs are, and that's where the record labels are, and that's where the media is, and culture goes from that place" (Things with reach and influence are based in the city).
- "(The river) flows upstream-downstream. Cities are upstream. Cities are two things: density and diversity"
- "(Paul's) missionary journeys are from city, to city, to city, to city, to city, to city. He avoided rural areas" (Paul knew about impact).
- "Get upstream and make a cultural difference"
- "Getting upstream allows God's people to effect change that would otherwise not be possible"
- "Examine how upstream you are. What influence, what authority, what opportunity has God given you to effect change at whatever point you live in the river?"
- "How could you get further upstream?"
- "You've got to try to get as upstream as you possibly can"
- "If God has placed you upstream ...will you give a voice to the voiceless?" (for me: the Fatherless)
- "It's strategic, it's missiological, and it's biblical"
- "Jesus started rural, but to really go upstream, he had to go to Jerusalem. He died, ascended into Heaven, and right now Jesus is as upstream as it gets"
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| (All taken from “Jesus Is A Better Missionary” / Pastor Mark / 11.11.12 / Mars Hill Church) |
4. Salmon
Last Fall we had the opportunity to visit a couple "salmon ladders"- an artificial environment were the natural migration of the Pacific salmon can be observed. I became fascinated with these creatures, and the lessons and inspiration found within their story...
- Adapt between fresh and saltwater
- In their very nature to swim against the current.
- Instinctively return to where they spawned (from the ocean, back into their "home stream").
- Overcome many obstacles and dangers along the way. Must beat the odds of survival: 90-95% don't ever make it back or out alive.
- Literally leap to move forward.
- Some eggs get swept away by the currents- never allowing full growth or life itself. Not to mention the many predators.
- As a "smolt", salmon drift downstream toward the ocean, but still face upstream in order to feed.
- Adult salmon stop feeding and their bodies change as they begin to swim back upstream.
- With the last of their energy, these fish lay eggs that will become the next generation of salmon. Salmon contribute even in death.
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| Migration season at the ladder |
#Fresh #Seattle #Upstream #Salmon
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| With my amazing artist Ashley @ SuperGenius! |
