CONNECT day 2: Smashing Idols

Tonight Scott Last challenged us to face our idols and destroy them. He explained that idols are something you sacrifice in order to gain something. For many of us Christians, that “something” we desire to receive is favor from God. This can be a Christians way of manipulating God and I know I have been guilty of this time and time again.

So how do we smash our idols? First, I think we have to name/identify them. For me in the past, my idols have been a relationship, a job or success at my job. Second I’ve found I need to ask God for forgiveness. I have to admit and apologize for allowing something else to take His place in my life. To guide me in my thoughts and actions, instead of giving him the authority over my life. Then finding accountability is an important step. I can’t tell you how much it has helped me to bring others into my mess. Asking those closest to you to share in your struggles, to encourage you, pray for/with you and keep you accountable to changing. Speaking of change, I think we have to repent. I know some view forgiveness and repentance as the same thing but for me they are quite different. Repentance is a turning away from our sin and moving forward with the desire to change. I have found comfort in Romans 8 where Paul says that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. That we have been set free from death! If we could just set our minds on things of the Spirit and not things of this world..makes sense, huh?

Scott reminded us that Christians are unfortunately known more for what we oppose than what we value and believe. How can we change that??

After dinner I had a chance to sit down with Hud and talk about some of these things and process through my time last year in Prague. I shared about my desire and hesitancy in moving back to Prague. He directed me to read Psalm 4:4- “Tremble, but do not sin.” The two feelings that can make us tremble- fear and anger.  Two feelings I have felt at various times over the last six months. I love that Paul writes Tremble; yes it is okay to be fearful or angry, but…do not sin. Don’t act on those thoughts. This was an “a-ha” moment for me and one that I hope to encourage others in the community back in Prague with as they deal with their feelings of grief during a transitional time.

Lastly, when Hud ask me what specifically we could pray for together, I told him that I wanted clarity about my decision to go back to Prague. He said that when most people ask for clarity what they really need (and probably want) is faith. Trust that God knows our desires as well as fears and is in control of what’s to come. He’s got a plan and we just need to have faith in that. Faith, not clarity…honestly, that’s going to be easier said than done in the next few days.

CONNECT day 2: Transition

This morning Hud shared his thoughts and wisdom on encouragement and grief in transition. There seems to be a lot of changes within many of the CA teams over the last year so this was sure to be a topic anyone could relate to.

Something that really resonated with me was that Hud defined wisdom as applied understanding. And that wisdom does not really work in reality- in the upside down world we live in. But it must work in our hearts. Romans 12:2 says Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

We talked about the world’s way of dealing with grief and loss. The five stages of grief that we all know: denial, anger, depression, bargaining and acceptance. Hud challenged us to grief in a Biblical way: Start with acceptance, leave the rest behind. Don’t be afraid of the pain you will feel. Allow yourself to feel sad and even a bit depressed- but then move into a place of thankfulness because thankfulness is a way of admitting our dependency on God.

I was reminded that every choice I make has a ripple effect. There are countless times in my life that in hindsight I see what I should have seen before even making a decision. Counting the cost of my choices- Starting at the end (thinking of the end result) and then moving forward. This was a powerful thing for me and will be something that I’ll continually be growing in.

A few more pieces of wisdom from Hud:

• We can transition with grace by keeping our feet solidly planted in Biblical truths.
• In grieving a loss of a ministry or job- Are we grieving something we thought was ours and not Gods? Is this MY ministry of GOD’S ministry?

The most encouraging part of this session was Hud’s demonstration of how most people transition- looking back as they try and move forward. The best advice I received: Don’t go into the future backwards!

CONNECT day 1: a love story

“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”  -Vincent van Gogh

Today was the first day of the Connect conference. I really look forward to this time each year to meet up with friends from all over Europe and meet new people as well. This year for the conference we are staying at a camp about two hours north of Lisbon, Portugal.

During the first evening session, our president Linus spoke about the history of Christian Associates (CA) and how he fell in love with Europe. This time was really encouraging for me and reminded me of my own journey of getting to Prague and the reason I continue to pursue ministry there. As Matthew 22 states: Love God and love others. And love for others should flow naturally out of our love for God. I believe I truly have fallen in love with the Czech people and the city of Prague.  Tonight was really inspiring!

A great start to what I am sure will be an awesome week!

Portugal/Prague trip

Next weekend I am flying to Portugal for Christian Associate’s staff conference. I’m really excited to see some good friends and meet others doing ministry in Europe.  CA feels like family to me and I’m glad to be a part of a great organization.

After the conference I’m flying to Prague for a week long visit. Can’t believe its been over six months since I’ve been gone and it will be SO great to see all of my former students. Please pray that God will affirm that Prague is where I need to be in the future. I’ll write and post a few photos once I arrive!

Coldplay

I had the opportunity to see Coldplay in concert last night. I have been a fan for a LONG time and realized  that I have been to at least one city on every one of their US tours.  The first time I heard The Scientist live I cried uncontrollably. It was and continues to be one of the few songs that changes the way I feel about music and inspires me in many ways.

i am a human “being”

Is it age or maturity? Maybe a little of both for me. I find myself at a time in my life when I am searching to be a human “being,” not just a human “doing.”

From dawn to dusk, all day, everyday I am going, going, going — and doing, doing, doing.

It’s rare that I am just “being.” It’s rare that I feel comfortable just being. It’s incredibly difficult at times for me to just be.

I’m on a journey…

I am searching for a way to be more of a human “being.”

On this day, 26 years ago…

…I was born in Spring Branch Hospital in west Houston, TX.

Here are a few other newsworthy stories from 1983:

Top Billboard Song in June 1983: Flashdance (What a Feeling)

Top Movie in June 1983: Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi

President in 1983: Ronald Reagan (my mother actually wrote her hatred for this man in my baby book!!

Top News Story of June 1983: On June 18th, 1983 Sally Ride became the first American woman and youngest American (at the time) to enter space.

I am blessed that God has given me another year of life, adventure and ministry!!

Kara Helena Maddox

time flies

This past month has kept me extremely busy. I’ve had so much to write about but very little time to actually sit down and write it all out.
A quick update: My Czech friend Lucie arrived in Sacramento last week and is enjoying settling into life here for the summer. My photo exhibition at the restaurant went really well and I already have two more opportunities to install my work next month. I’m turning 26 in 10 days and for some strange reason I’m excited about this birthday!

If you are not already on my Prague ministry email list and would like to be or if you think I don’t have your regular mailing address please send me an email (karamaddox AT yahoo DOT com) in the next week. I have a newsletter going out next weekend with some exciting news about future ministry in Europe!

I’ll try to add photos and more stories later this weekend. Looking forward to being back on here soon and continuing to share what’s going on.

Kara

spiritual disciplines 101

“Silence is frightening because it strips us as nothing else does, throwing us upon the stark realities of our life.” -Dallas Willard, “The Spirit of the Disciplines”

Solitude is the practice of being absent from other people and other things so that you can be present with God. In solitude, we rest from our attempts to re-create the world in our image. We rest from arranging our relationships and manipulating people with our words. In solitude, we say to God, “I am here to be changed into whatever you like.” In solitude, we learn to “wait on the Lord.”

Silence is the practice of quieting every voice, including your own inner and outer voices. It is written of one of the Desert Fathers, Abbot Agatho, “that for three years he carried a stone in his mouth until he learned to be silent.” A rather extreme measure, but it demonstrates how difficult it is for us to be silent.

Silence is also necessary to free ourselves from our tendency to control. Silence frees us from the tyranny we hold over others with our words. Thomas Merton wrote, “It is not speaking that breaks our silence, but the anxiety to be heard.” When we are silent, it is much more difficult to manipulate and control the people and circumstances around us. Words are the weapons we lay down when we practice silence. We give up our insistence of being heard and obeyed. Silence forces us to surrender to the will of Another.

“more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning”

Lord, I am waiting in silence, longing to hear your voice.

a few thoughts

1. Allergies suck. No medicine seems to be working so I am going to try acupuncture this week and see if that helps at all.
2. I’m really into American Idol this season. Not much of a reality show fan, or of TV shows in general, but Kris Allen has had me tuned in, especially after he sang “Falling Slowly” from Once.
3. God is leading me into some cool new opportunities and I am looking forward to what’s ahead.
4. I really hate not having a good camera right now. Trying to see this as a way to practice art in other ways. This week: charcoal.
5. Thinking of all that needs to be done before my Czech friend Luci gets here next month. Praying that its a great experience and a life changing summer!