Dreams, Hopes & Hesitations

I have a dream, a very lofty dream but a dream all the same. I have confessed this goal of mine to a few people and now I am putting it out there for the multitudes...possibly as a way to keep me accountable and also as a way to get information about what the heck I am getting into, in case anyone might know. 

So, what is this goal you may be asking yourself? If you can't tell by the picture to the left...I would LOVE to open, run and work at a free medical clinic! I have been thinking and praying about this for about 3 years.  I am excited, scared and hesitant about the possibility of this becoming reality. Despite my fears and hesitation I really feel that I need to make it happen.  

I am lucky enough to attend a church that supports and encourages these lofty dreams. In fact, they have had a few of their own that have come to fruition. It gives me hope and I know God has placed me here in this place for a reason. 

I ask my faithful blog readers (all 2 of you) to please pray with me about this. Keep me accountable through this process. I have included a LINK to a story of a woman that has accomplished something similar. It is very inspirational. 

 I also need to name the free clinic, I think naming it will inspire the process even further. I am taking suggestions! 

Atheist

I am an atheist when it comes to the god of violent jihad.

I am an atheist when it comes to the lord who converts by the sword.

I am an atheist when it comes to the mission of politicians using religion as ammunition. 

I believe in you - the artist of trees and galaxies

I believe in you - the poet of oceans and rivers and streams

I believe in you - the god of compassion who calls us to action

I believe in you

I believe in you - majestic designer of space and time

I believe in you - composer of beauty and music of life

I believe in you - the holy forgiver and wild reconciler

I believe in you

I am an atheist to the gods of the greedy ignoring the needy.

I am an atheist to the gods who make others torture and suffer

I am an atheist when it comes to the view of the chosen few, who judge and condemn all who differ them. 

I believe in you - mighty in meekness and gentle in power

I believe in you - the word who has spoken good news to the broken

I believe in you - transcending mystery, with us in history

I believe in you

~ words written by Brian McLaren and Aaron Strumpel

This song was introduced to me while attending the Everything Must Change conference two weekends ago. I was hesitant about it at first and then the words really started to penetrate. I have to say that I really like this song. I don't think we will be singing it at church any time soon but I often sing it in my head quite a bit. I especially like to sing it when I hear about a certain "christian" church sponsoring a rally against homosexuals in my neighborhood! ARG!!!

Happy Earth Day

In honor of Earth Day I have come up with a list, with some help from Bree, of 10 things we can do today to help our planet! So, lets get started!!!

1. Paper or Plastic? Neither!! Get in the habit of taking reusable bags to the grocery store. I keep several in my car just so I do not forget. Saves the trees and the landfills plus some stores, Whole Foods, actually gives you a credit for using reusable bags. It's a win, win!!

2. Replace regular light bulbs with the energy efficient variety. It costs more to purchase but you will get a good return in the long run. They last longer and obviously use less energy therefore making your energy bill lower. Another win, win!

3. Don't buy any more bottled water! Instead start using reusable water bottles as well as reusable coffee mugs.

4. Switch cleaning products to ones that are Earth friendly. You can even make your own cleaning products with water, vinegar and baking soda. I have not done that yet but it seems like a good plan!

5. Compost! To learn how to compost visit www.howtocompost.org

6. Stop the insane amount of junk mail!! You can sign up to stop junk mail at www.dmachoice.org/mps

7. Clean the lint traps in your dryer after every load. Your dryer uses an insane amount of energy as is so, by reducing the lint we can reduce some energy consumption. If Earth friendliness doesn't get you maybe this will, a linty dryer filter is a fire hazard! Yes, I am the wife of a firefighter!

8. Use rain bins to water plants and grass. This was Bree's suggestion and a great one at that! Simply have your down spout empty into some bins to collect that water and save for later.

9. Support local growers and buy fruits and vegatables that were produced locally. Saves the cost in transport plus, it is way better than fruit and vegetables picked prior to becoming ripe. Yes, a win, win!!

10. Switch your shower heads to a 'low flow' type. Save water ladies when you take that 20 min. shower!

Just in the span of about 1 hour this list was created...but the ramifications of putting this list into action will last a lifetime!! Does anyone else have suggestions?

Here We Go

All right! I am trying this whole thing again...hopefully I will be more diligent with it this time. Maybe I need some help from my blogging friends to keep me accountable. I now have to think of some 'smart' stuff to say. Expect the next post soon!