Kristen Fabick's Blog
values and lessons learned...(a.k.a....last blog!) / 07.14.08, 03:48 PM
our city director, caz, had us reflect on some of the lessons we have learned throughout the year and some of the values that have become important to us or that we have been made more aware of this year. i thought this would be an appropriate way to end my blogging for my mission year. thank you for journeying with me this year. i have truly enjoyed your support, and i hope you enjoy and can learn from my experiences.
MY Values and Lessons of Importance
1. The Christian life is full of beautiful, often confusing, paradoxes. It is in the balance of the contradiction that you find God.
2. Continue to learn about and try to live out of biblical principals of economics and justice (i.e. Jubilee, redistribution of goods, etc.).
3. Words are often insufficient; sometimes you must quit trying to justify yourself (in words or actions) and let God be your justifier.
4. It is good to study movements, cultures, ideas, values, etc., but you get a more complete understanding and experience if you “come and see”.
5. Everyone has a story; ask questions to learn people’s stories. Then try to learn from their stories—everyone has wisdom to offer.
6. Watch your words; the tongue is both a powerful weapon of destruction and a powerful life-builder (but it can’t be both simultaneously).
7. Life is a process to enjoy, not a task to be achieved
8. A joyful life is obtained by seeking the appropriate balance of life’s opposites.
9. I am not called to change people or to save people; I am only called to love people as much as possible.
10. Sharing life/journeying with someone makes life meaningful.
11. Love should be used as a magnet, not a commodity.
12. Ask hard questions
13. Explore and embrace your emotions (and validate others’)
14. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
15. There is a God, and you are not Him.
16. Look beyond the surface; always try to see people’s hearts. Find something to love about them.
17. Challenge traditions and the status quo. Who makes these “rules” anyway?
18. Seek first the Kingdom of God; He will take care of all the rest.
19. Choose joy.
20. Celebrate life and other people (and celebrate with them).
21. “Waste time” with people—this is valuable and kingdom-building.
22. You have to be the change you want to see in the world.
23. As far as possible, live in peace with everyone.
24. Be intentional about relationships; don’t worry about convention.
25. Live. Love. Laugh. Learn.
26. Be able to laugh at yourself.
27. Learn, embrace, and enjoy the cycles of life.
28. Celebrate people’s differences. Differences make life interesting.
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Kristen, thanks so much for your newsletters and blog comments. It has been great keeping up with your experiences and insights. We will continue to pray for you as you move along life’s path. Blessings upon you and yours!
By martha / Jul 15, 11:03 AM / #
Thanks for sharing your insights with the rest of us.
By Dan Endy / Jul 25, 04:51 PM / #