tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:03:16 +0000disciplinespicturesephesiansponderingsJohn ReflectionKolbemergentBloom's Taxonomynewskierkegaardgender theologymeatsmastheologyzealidea reflectioninstructionsessaysset theorytruthgloryCommunity Reflectionkingdom of godtragedy1 Peterpersonalitybedrock beliefsScience Reflectionresourcessketchpadworshiphaggaimissionaltangent matrixecclesiologyStrengthsFinderprimalchallengeIntegration Reflectionrecipestangentizing dictionarylectioanthropologyHabakkukreadingevangelicalismreviewsacademic reflectionisaiahrantspet-peevesdefinitionphilosophyschoollinksHebrews Reflectionministry-philosophylighthousetrailsfaculty development reflectionPolanyimental battlebiblical preachingtangentstransit storiesPsalm119funspiritual formationsystems scienceblognotetransittfbRandomshemaJude Reflectionhistory reflectionanimalstechnologythesisrededucational researchlessonslist#metrolosangelesshort essaywriting reflectiongodblogconchristmasbiolaretreat reflectionbook reflection2 Petersanctifytnbs reflectioncreativityunchristianNature Reflectionhappeningsright to lifetorah reflectiontheology of matthewrelevance vs claritysermon reflectionsnewbiginholy-timelearningscripture reflectionmbtiAmosteachingprayerfriendsthinkingknowingbible studymemeprimalbiblefoodiesvacationfaithfulnessculturepoliticsETCdevotionalsscholarshipmusicmonkeybarsjamesColossians reflectionPsalm139regular-timearrowheadtransit reflectionliterature reflectionbirthday reflectionSpiritual Formation Experimentsplat-poetrytop-poststalbothermeneuticspraxissermon reflectionwisdomGroundhog Daybeauty reflectionpoetrytheological reflectionScriptureSoaksMy Utmost for His Highestformation reflectionhealthquestionsbig-questionsclyde cookpsalm23Matthew ReflectionMusings of a peripatetic wannabe-sagehttp://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Laura)Blogger2195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-5630761364802072611Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +00002012-02-02T12:03:16.794-08:00beauty reflection The seasons change subtly where I live. Trees loose their leaves over many months. The new leaves and flowers follow the same rule. Some trees are spring's early adopters, promises of what is to come. --- Twitter - Facebook (C) Laura Springer Laura's Writings by Laura Springer is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/rJ2kyJGYTXM/springs-early-adopters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/rJ2kyJGYTXM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/02/springs-early-adopters.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-3164023754353942644Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +00002012-02-01T12:00:02.450-08:00thinkingwriting reflectionblognote If I can muster the discipline, this is what I want my blog to be: the recipient of the contents of a waste book, a place to systematize the random ideas, observations, and encounters of the day. Of course, this means having the discipline to capture the bits. I am torn between leveraging Evernote and playing in the Moleskine for use as a waste book. But then, maybe a combination of both is inhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/nzGHBl-BiwI/place-for-gathering-bits-from-waste.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/nzGHBl-BiwI" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/02/place-for-gathering-bits-from-waste.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-1785504596017854637Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:21:00 +00002012-01-24T13:21:04.201-08:00biola  In a few days time, the campus will once again be filled with students and professors (and a few more staff than now). For now, the few faculty who are seen on campus are wearing play clothes. The students who are here mostly have business to attend to or are athletes. The walkways have an emptiness that is not seen in daylight hours for most of the year. The lines in the cafe are shorter (or http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/7wvv7MUZqU0/last-few-days-of-biolas-january.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/7wvv7MUZqU0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-few-days-of-biolas-january.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-8329221773356281192Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:19:00 +00002012-01-15T07:19:43.174-08:00 Things occur to me as I walk to and from the bus. The other day, as I passed the near barren trees at Biola's entrance, I was reminded of connectedness. Sometimes, we think that connections are rigid things like organizational charts, with boxes and straight lines. But this is not the case. Trees are an example: their branches and twigs are connected in a way that is always treelike. We http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/-6h_YASPWYE/formal-freedom-of-our-connectedness.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/-6h_YASPWYE" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/01/formal-freedom-of-our-connectedness.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-7235477202843218312Sat, 07 Jan 2012 21:11:00 +00002012-01-07T13:11:04.435-08:00Spiritual Formation Experiment Every course changes me, mostly with barely discernible subtlety. The course this past week, Introduction to Spiritual Formation, may be one of those; only time will tell. What I do know today is that the usual rehearsal of tasks, reviewed upon waking was turned upward. This is not my normal practice (which has much in common with a deer in the headlights). I know that the book for review, thehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/dcIf8HKGiPg/view-from-here-same-and-different.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/dcIf8HKGiPg" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/01/view-from-here-same-and-different.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-2317451598189127631Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:42:00 +00002012-01-03T19:42:37.581-08:00beauty reflectionIn our Introduction to Spiritual Formation class this week, the prof asked us to share one favorite moment from 2011. I cheated and shared two. Both are exemplars of many life-impacting experiences.  The first, "Becoming what the blesser sees," was an experience given as a gift, from the prof to her class. Today in class, a few of us from the June class recalled the metaphor we had been given. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/_KNxTaz-9s0/two-favorite-moments-from-2011.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/_KNxTaz-9s0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/01/two-favorite-moments-from-2011.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-1822978585266993692Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:48:00 +00002012-01-03T19:20:03.900-08:00biolatransit#metrolosangeles It was a foggy morning, which was appropriate for the fuzziness of the journey. Well it's both unfortunate and good that I have class on a holiday. It's unfortunate because it's a holiday and I would rather wake up on the mountain. It's good because I get to see scholar friends I have not seen in a while and because I can take holiday rather than vacation. It also helps that the course is a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/Y55VpjxSBs4/first-wait-of-2012.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/Y55VpjxSBs4" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/01/first-wait-of-2012.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-188736966409545256Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:29:00 +00002012-01-01T15:52:49.171-08:00arrowhead It's a beautiful day in the mountains: sunny and warm despite small patches of snow. Given class starts tomorrow, I can think of nothing better than sitting outside in shirt sleeves, reading an article for tomorrow (especially since I so thoroughly enjoy the subject). In a few hours, we will be on the road, back to regular life. For now, patio sitting is as good as it gets. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/JPfWArHvf0A/patio-sitting-on-new-years.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/JPfWArHvf0A" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2012/01/patio-sitting-on-new-years.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-854222169350452393Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:24:00 +00002012-01-03T19:29:27.190-08:00arrowhead We returned from dinner tonight and while Ann and our guests walked down to the lake, I went up to the cabin to read, etc. As I was sitting in the front room, facing away from the window, I noticed a pink-orange glow oozing into the room. When I turned to look out the window, the entire sky was filled with color. Moments before, the sky was a normal, average sky--nothing to note. Now it was http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/QTqpAeX4su4/sunset-sneak.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/QTqpAeX4su4" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/sunset-sneak.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-5668779743206422790Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +00002011-12-22T12:00:00.832-08:00transit#metrolosangeles It's the last early morning trip of 2011 and I am mostly alone. The tech store across the street blares xmas (spelling intentional) music radio. I won't miss that. I will miss the people. A skinny, older woman huddles just north of the stop, pacing south and back now and again. One younger woman waits, hugging her coffee mug close, glancing hopefully down the street. We board the bus at last http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/9hbSGAew8UI/2011s-last-early-morning-commute.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/9hbSGAew8UI" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/2011s-last-early-morning-commute.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-7038824945199795751Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:12:00 +00002011-12-21T08:12:33.691-08:00transit  Last night, I waited with a different sort of wait-mate. At the first bus stop on the way home, human companionship is rare (probably one reason this bus comes every 45 minutes). In fact, any sort of companionship is rare--save for the scary spiders that sometimes appear at my feet. Eek. Last night was different. I sat, waiting--a bit grouchy, having missed my intended bus by about 30 secondshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/JtxBp__29Gc/four-legged-waiting-mate.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/JtxBp__29Gc" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/four-legged-waiting-mate.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-6753279862065662004Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:04:00 +00002011-12-20T13:04:22.654-08:00transit#metrolosangelesOn Saturday, it's all different: the sun is up, the direction is opposite, and the people are other. My usual Saturday waiting companion is here, in her gray hoodie and black sneakers, on her way to work. One other was here, but rushed off to get something from the mini mart behind us. Otherwise, it's quiet and Saturday-empty. Funny how weekday 5:30 AM is busier than Saturday 8:00 AM. Anyhow, http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/fVtRMhdVZT0/waiting-in-saturday-empty-1217.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tangentrider)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/fVtRMhdVZT0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/waiting-in-saturday-empty-1217.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-3016305191178401800Sat, 17 Dec 2011 01:00:00 +00002011-12-16T17:00:03.533-08:00transit#metrolosangeles I missed my bus, so I'm mostly alone: I wait here with strangers. One in an orange Texas hoodie, another sports Dodger blue. A third gets delivered in a silver SUV and one waits where the imposing health worker waited on another day. Two more stand afar, following an unwritten distancing rule (with unknown criteria). In the distance, I see the pinkish orange headsign and hope rises. --- http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/HcB7tytGrgM/at-bus-stop-1215.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/HcB7tytGrgM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/at-bus-stop-1215.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-6251589101525205441Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:30:00 +00002011-12-14T16:30:00.546-08:00transit#metrolosangeles The conscientious smoker stands far off, hovering near the fire hydrant, chatting with two friends. On the bench sits the back pack of the tan hooded lurker, hunched and brooding. A health worker, wearing scrubs and an imposing stature, stands on the other side of the flower bed, while a boy in shorts, flip flops, and a beanie reaches for his cell phone. As the coach waits for the light to http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/qShmEdGbTZM/at-bus-stop-1213.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/qShmEdGbTZM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/at-bus-stop-1213.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-3529834360569731096Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:15:00 +00002011-12-12T17:03:06.685-08:00transit#metrolosangeles  Looking at the stop from across the street, I see he has arrived first: the young smoker in the brown hoodie. At least I can position myself upwind. Next is the bicycling husband, escorting his wife (I assume) to the bus stop; every day he comes with her and waits until the bus arrives. I am impressed. Up walks a young woman with Jheri curls and mod boots, followed by one who stands at a http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/4I_KxsOZ2xs/at-bus-stop-1212.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/4I_KxsOZ2xs" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/at-bus-stop-1212.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-3184326927767284512Tue, 06 Dec 2011 01:09:00 +00002011-12-05T17:11:27.920-08:00 Final Preparations Friday night was Biola's christmas tree lighting. While I have only attended once (being a bus commuter who lives a bit too far), I always note the weekend when the tree in front of Crowell is transformed. Lights Shining on Monday Morning Today at a luncheon, a long time faculty person noted the significance of this event for the spiritual health of the school. I would http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/swbUobCn694/lighting-tree-importance-of-ritual.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/swbUobCn694" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/lighting-tree-importance-of-ritual.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-4244727018159473575Sun, 04 Dec 2011 17:56:00 +00002011-12-04T14:58:08.434-08:00sermon reflection Our GPS is broken and we broke it ourselves. We will wander off at any given moment and not even know we've done it. The only effective response is to trust the leadership of one who sees all of reality, knows what to do for our good, and can and will do it.That one is Yahweh, revealed most clearly in Jesus. There is no other who fills all three requirements. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/M3THPADJd-o/yahweh-shepherd-psalm-23.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/M3THPADJd-o" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/yahweh-shepherd-psalm-23.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-7515005642110934494Sat, 03 Dec 2011 18:53:00 +00002011-12-03T12:40:45.312-08:00beauty reflection Wind This week in Southern California, we had wind. When winds combine with fall leaf drop, some amazing visuals can occur. I was able to capture one on a walk around campus. Light Fall also brings amazing sunrises and sunsets. While I am certain some science type can supply detailed explanations for the glory, I will stick with Wow. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/oYAm1qx_nAU/by-wind-and-light-nature-art.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/oYAm1qx_nAU" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/12/by-wind-and-light-nature-art.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-8526408894326415258Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:11:00 +00002011-11-29T12:19:51.959-08:00beauty reflection I do and one of them is the crepe myrtle nearest Rose Hall in the middle of Metzger Lawn on Biola's campus. I can't quite put my finger on the attraction, but it has something to do with color, texture, and shape. Every time I pass it, I am a bit happier than before. How about you? I wrote about another favorite tree on Becoming what the blesser sees.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/syFgsp3BBFo/do-you-have-favorite-trees.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/syFgsp3BBFo" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/11/do-you-have-favorite-trees.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-7296349332685400713Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:24:00 +00002011-11-24T19:26:13.044-08:00 This morning I went on my first mountain walk of the weekend. The air was crispy, patches of ground were slippery, and the lake was still. Between the beauty of the visuals and the workload of the altitude, it was just a better walk the back in the flatlands. As I strolled along the nearly two miles, I had to remind myself that walking is so much more than counting steps. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/zreGrENwbXk/some-walks-are-better-than-others.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/zreGrENwbXk" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/11/some-walks-are-better-than-others.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-9212906419105505395Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:42:00 +00002011-11-22T22:28:35.049-08:00biola As I went on my morning walk, I passed a mom and two kids. As they looked at the leaves scattered on the sycamore lawn, the mom said, "Wouldn't it be fun if the leaves were piled up so we could jump in them?" If they had come by in the afternoon, I fear the Biola gardeners would have had some extra work: some things are just too tempting. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/cMfr2Kji5tM/as-i-went-on-my-morning-walk-i-passed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/cMfr2Kji5tM" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/11/as-i-went-on-my-morning-walk-i-passed.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-1105548874852482268Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:30:00 +00002011-11-21T20:20:46.530-08:00arrowheadanimals My memory for such things is not stellar, but I do not recall seeing ducks at Biola in November. Still, on this morning's back way walk to campus, there they were, padding about in the creek. I sure hope they're not developing the bad habits of the Arrowhead ducks. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/vnfTIhPnvr0/my-memory-for-such-things-if-not.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/vnfTIhPnvr0" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-memory-for-such-things-if-not.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-7501522657042883809Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:59:00 +00002011-11-15T08:01:38.108-08:00talbot I love watching construction--any construction. It reminds me of our cooperation with God in creation. But when out is a structure I have prayed for and look forward to seeing used, the excitement is all the more intense. Soon. Very soon. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/VSHJICdA_Jc/i-love-watching-construction-any.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/VSHJICdA_Jc" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-love-watching-construction-any.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-7468843265661074899Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:36:00 +00002011-11-12T14:11:31.776-08:00animals This morning, while waiting for the bus, I watched the gulls take flight, out of the feeding grounds and into the storm winds. They soared like eagles, catching lift under their wings. They did not seem to be looking for anything. They simply danced in the air and flew off. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/VdK-4uYTM4g/do-gulls-experience-joy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/VdK-4uYTM4g" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/11/do-gulls-experience-joy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8009936.post-340125518556507159Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:43:00 +00002011-11-07T19:44:20.630-08:00transit I like standard time, I really do.The only down side is waiting for the bus in the dark. I am always a bit nervous, wondering whether I will be seen. Now the bus has only missed me once in the dark and there was no street lamp. But the fear remains. What's up with that? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~3/C1E6hme9jaI/traveling-in-dark.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Laura)0<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/blogspot/jhms/~4/C1E6hme9jaI" height="1" width="1"/>http://lauraswritings.blogspot.com/2011/11/traveling-in-dark.html