the world is trying to "de-compete"

Last night, I went to a homecoming basketball game at a nearby small Christian school with my friends.  When the homecoming court was presented to us, I expected to see someone crown a new homecoming queen.  However, all of the nominees stood up and walked away without announcing the queen.  I was puzzled and asked my friends who were puzzled, too.  We learned that the school committee, parents and students decided not to choose one queen and one king this year.  They preferred not to compete for it.  They just wanted to display all the nominees - that's all.  Interesting.
This morning, I went to watch an Upward basketball game where 1st and 2nd graders played.  I enjoyed watching them play.  When they made shoots, the scoreboard didn't display any number.  Just 0 to 0 throughout the games.  I was puzzled again, and asked my friend who sat next to me.  She explained that parents were upset about scores last year.  This year, they decided not to be in a competition.  They preferred to let kids play for fun.  Interesting again!
I guess the world is trying to "de-compete."  I think we focused too much on "competition."  

losing is finding...

I couldn't get rid of my instinct to throw away all the junk that I don't need anymore at my place.  When I moved into a warehouse/apartment, my friends called me a rat pack after helping me load/unload and move in.  So I did stay up until 2 AM every day since last Monday to clean all the old stuff out of my drawers.  I realized that I would be busier this month and next month because of my best childhood friend's wedding season and Mardi Gras events!  So I was determined to dig deeper into my drawers to throw all the unnecessary stuff and keep a VERY FEW things that I wanted to keep, so I could enjoy the next two months without being under pressure to "un-clutter" my place.  At that moment, I happened to find an old sheet from one of my numerous LEAD (Presidential Scholar) meetings during my college years, and I thought reading/mediating on it was an excellent way to start 2009, or 200-MINE!  Read the followings-

"Paradoxes of Leading"

Which ones typify the lessons that you have learned about yourself this past year?

~The last shall be first

~You have to know how to follow to lead

~Serving is leading

~Losing is finding

~Power is made full and complete in weakness (I can boast in my weaknesses)

~Joy in Sorrow

~Meek inherit the earth

~Turn the other cheek

~Go 2 miles instead

~Love your enemy

~The good I want to do, I don't (and vice versa)

"Talking and Walking"

If you can talk, you can sing,

If you can walk, you can dance. 

-African Proverb

Is this proverb an invitation or an admonishment for you?

"How do you walk?"

If one is supposed to walk with ones eyes open, head up, intentionally, without looking down, how would characterize the way you have walked this past year?  (Dragging your feet?  Face down?  Looking over your shoulders?  Straining to see ahead?  Slowly?  Rapidly?  Awkwardly?  Meandering?  With a purpose?  Etc...)

dark caves in my heart

I was awestruck by a passage that I read recently...

"During WWII, Allied troops had established a beachhead on one of the South Pacific islands, thus claiming 'authority' over the island.  But now that the troops had landed, the island needed to be made safe.  There were numerous caves on the island, and many enemy soldiers were still hiding there in the darkness.  So the Allied troops had their work cut out for them.  One cave at a time, they would shine their lights into the interior, exposing anyone hiding within.  Once that cave was safely cleared, they would then move on to the next.  One by one, each cave was examined until, after much time, the entire island was declared under their control.

"You're probably already guessing the analogy.  When we accept Christ as our Savior, he establishes his 'beachhead' in us.  He lays claim to us.  We become his.  But we still have a whole 'island' full of dark caves that are hiding our sins, our deceits, our weaknesses.  Proverbs 20:27 tells us, 'The LORD's light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.' (NLT)  God doesn't tackle all the caves at once.  Instead, just like the soldiers in the South Pacific, he shines his light into one cave at a time."  - Dee Bright, The Divine Romance

I have to admit that I have been "blinded" by my dark caves in my heart; however, God has used bad circumstances to show me His ENDLESS GRACE!  I'm still overwhelmed by how God has shown a lot of care and love toward us.  I praise God for all of his "transforming" works in my heart.