8 hour lines, locura, entretenido

Somehow as americans we have no idea what a real line is. I mean yes you might CHOOSE to wait in a long line for concert tickets or an amusement park ride and yes, now and then, there is an annoying line of 30 minutes or even an hour.

Spain on the other hand knows what a real line is. I mean the first time I applied for my residence card I think I waited on five different occasions (in five different locations) in lines of two to four hours, but a minimum of two. On a regular basis at the grocery store I wait for a half an hour (in the fast line, mind you, to just grab a couple things) and I remember spending the entire day at the hospital in sevilla, not because i was deathly ill, but because i needed both to have xrays and blood drawn and of course see the doctor on the front and back end.

today i think trumped all the lines i have been in. i needed to go get fingerprints for my residence card (my new one). remembering last year i thought, "ok they open at 9am, i should probably get there a bit early (like at 8am), but 6am (when i got there last time) just seemed a bit overkill. i mean i had a good four hours i could wait if necessary.

so i got there at a reasonable time, with a book and music in hand. i figured out which of the three lines i needed to be in (and of course it was the longest), but no worries i had time and was a pro at this. so the time passes and i estimate i should be out the door by 11:30-12:00. great!

the line gets closer to the gate to get into the compound and somehow the closer it gets the slower it gets. so instead of moving every 10 minutes we're now moving every 30 minutes. it is now 10:30. then 11:00. okay it is now 12:00 and we have yet to even get in the gate (which i know is at least an hour wait longer). it has now been all of 4 hours. so i call some of the people helping me with the english club at 1pm. God-willing I will still make it, but just in case I let them know what is going on.

so they do finally let us in the gate and it is now 13:00 (1pm). another hour goes by and this is when all heck begins to break loose.

supposedly they close at 2pm for siesta and then reopen at 4pm. they actually do continue to see those inside the gate during this time, but the beasts are getting hungry and tired. i mean, it is lunch time and most of us haven't eaten since 8 or 9am. kids are crying or running around and adults are a bit cranky too.

the first sign of trouble is between two men. one apparently jumped ahead in line and so of course insults the one who tells him to go back to his place. there are some words exchanged and fists raised and that is that.

a bit later i have moved up to where these men were and a lady (who i have never seen before) edges up a few people behind me. she begins to go off on how she was behind chinese woman who is now far ahead. at first the lady was up ahead and then she changes the story to the lady being no where in sight to the lady already have taken off. it sounds a bit fishy, but i'm tired and not too concerned about what anyone else is doing or not doing.

it then occurs to me that this lady has brought a band of people with her who i vaguely remember seeing at the very end of this awfully long line. somehow they have now merged 4-7 people behind me and are continuing to rant and rave about this horrible chinese woman (which much emphasis on the fact that she was chinese) who i am beginning to wonder if even exists.

so now my part of the line is infuriated by all these people who have cut in front of us, when in actuality they are the people who are complaining. yes, there are a few people ahead of us who somehow magically appeared in front of us instead of behind, but for the most part it's the line we started in.

so a bit of time passes and then there is a woman who tells us to go past her because she just is sitting down ahead in the line, even though her place is behind. some people tell her to move, one of the guys in front of me starts to accuse him of being racist (it happens that the woman in question is a covered muslim woman and the people asking her to move are south american (although black) and the man defending the woman is also north african and muslim. this is the same man, mind you, who a couple hours earlier was screaming at the man who butt in line ahead of him. again as i said, the kids cry and the adults get into yelling matches.

so we wait a bit longer and there is a irate man at nearly the end of the line inside the compound (we're all in a sort of courtyard, but inside the gate versus outside). he is yelling at one of the women working here about the fact that he has a date to be here so they should attend to him NOW. the fact that he does not realize is that ALL of us have today's date, which is why we've chosen today to wait in line. and while he has only been in line a couple hours now, we have been in line for about double the time. the guards talk to him, he rants and raves a bit more and they give him the option of leaving or getting into line, so of course he chooses the line.

eventually we do make it inside, around 16:00 (4pm), when the gate again opens, and i nearly want to kiss the man who finally sees me. they look at my paperwork, take my fingerprints and john hancock, and give me a paper to come back and pick up my new residence card in 40 days! yippee!!! i felt like i was soaring in the clouds. que alegría!!! i was soooo incredibly happy to be done. really much more overjoyed than is even normal. somehow waiting does increase the joy you experience once it's all over. amazing!

so i finally left at 16:30, grabbed a sandwich to eat on the metro and went on with my day. and i'm now pretty much done for the next 2-3 years, until i have to renew it again.

the irony of this place is incredible. if you look at the picture above, the "compound" is brightly covered in red, yellow, blue, and white. it has triangular tops with flags and looks somewhat like an amusement park from the outside.

yes, you do leaved joyous and happy, but i just seems crazy that this place that causes so much angst is deceptively decorated. and it is a bit crazy how proud i feel
of the fact that i passed this cultural test of waiting. i feel like i have worked hard and EARNED my residence card.

superheroes y superoheroinas

this past saturday i went to a friend's superhero birthday party. i went as wonderwoman and actually think i had just as much fun scrambling to make the costume as i did wearing it. and i just have to say that walking to the metro, with my costume quietly hidden under my coat did make me feel very superhero-esk. :-)

The Lord is our Defender, our Strong Tower, our Refuge

I have been studying Joshua most of this school year with the help of a Precept upon Precepts study guide. It has been really good and refreshing.

Recently a friend, a student here in Madrid, shared about some hard things going on with her and her church where she feels wronged. It is a complicated situation. Anyway, it made me think of some situations I've been in where I desperately want to defend myself, but where it seems like the best thing is allow the Lord to be my defender.

This morning as I spent time with the Lord the passages that I looked up, as cross-references to Joshua 16-17, spoke to this same idea:

"When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. An dwhen you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.'" - Deuteronomy 20:1-4

"Cuando salgas a la guerra contra tus enemigos, si vieres caballos y carros, y un pueblo más grande que tú, no tengas temor de ellos, porque Jehová tu Dios está contigo, el cual te sacó de tierra de Egipto. Y cuando os acerquéis para combatir, se pondrá en pie el sacerdote y hablará al pueblo, y les dirá: Oye, Israel, vosotros os juntáis hoy en batalla contra vuestros enemigos; no desmaye vuestro corazón, no temáis, ni os azoréis, ni tampoco os desalentéis delante de ellos; porque Jehová nuestro Dios va con vosotros, para pelear por vosotros contra vuestros enemigos, para salvaros." - Deuteronomio 20:1-4

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call." - Psalm 20:7-9

"Estos confían en carros, y aquéllos en caballos; mas nosotros del nombre de Jehová nuestro Dios tendremos memoria. Ellos flaquean y caen, mas nosotros nos levantamos, y estamos en pie. Salva, Jehová; que el Rey nos oiga en el día que lo invoquemos." - Salmo 20:7-9

"A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord." - Proverbs 21:28-31

"El testigo mentiroso perecerá; mas el hombre que oye, permanecerá en su dicho. El hombre impío endurece su rostro; mas el recto ordena sus caminos. No hay sabiduría ni inteligencia, ni consejo contra Jehová. El caballo se alista para el día de la batalla, mas Jehová es el que da la victoria." - Proverbios 21:28-31

"Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes." - Psalm 60:11-12

"Danos socorro contra el enemigo; porque vana es la ayuda de los hombres. En Dios haremos proezas, y él hollará a nuestros enemigos." - Salmo 60:11-12

"He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God..." - Psalm 78:5-11

"El estableció testimonio en Jacob, y puso ley en Israel, la cual mandó a nuestros padres que la notificasen a sus hijos; para que lo sepa la generación venidera, y los hijos que nacerán; y los que se levantarán lo cuentan a sus hijos, a fin de que pongan en Dios su confianza, y no se olviden de las obras de Dios; que guarden sus mandamientos. Y no sean como sus padres, generación contumaz y rebelde; generación que no dispuso su corazón, ni fue fiel para con Dios su espíritu..." - Salmo 78:5-11

"Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered." - Psalm 105:5

"Acordaos de las maravillas que él ha hecho, de sus prodigios y de los juicios de su boca." - Salmo 105:5

Two disclaimers:

(1) These passages talk an awful lot about battle and war. I am by no means condoning "holy wars." What happens in my heart when I realize that the Lord is my defender and avenger, the one who fights my battle, is that I no longer take that role as my own. I become much more compassionate because the Lord's wrath is much more just and much more intense than my own. Some how I let go instead of trying to go to war. If you read the book I referenced it really puts it all into perspective and actually takes on more the tone of Philippians 2:1-11 (see below).

(2) I also don't mean to say that all the conflict and little "battles" that we have makes it between us and our "enemies." Ephesians 6:10-12 puts this into perspective, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places..."

---

Interesting enough, the reason the study had me look up these passages is that in Joshua 17:14-18, the sons of Joseph see their opposition and are dismayed. The argue with Joshua and tell him that he must give them some other land because the people who have occupied their land are too big and too powerful. After reading the previous chapters of Joshua, there is a huge contrast between these people and Caleb, who by this time is old, but who trusts the Lord to deliver the land to him.

Also, as a side note, a GREAT book that I recommended to her is "The Tale of Three Kings" by Gene Edwards. It talks of David and his relationship with Saul and his son Absalom, and particularly how he trusted in the Lord to fight his battles instead of taking things into his own hands and killing these kings.

One more little note, I put the Spanish above because somehow I like how these verses read better in the Spanish than in the English.

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by being obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:1-11

El Poder de Dios

Here's some thoughts for the day (again thanks to some friendly Ágape e-mails)...

We need God. We need his power. We need Jesus for eternal life. We need the Holy Spirit for our internal (and external) life.

NECESITAMOS EL PODER DE DIOS (Necesitamos a Jesucristo para nuestra vida eterna, y el espíritu Santo de Dios para nuestra vida interna.)

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." - John 14:16,17


"Y yo rogaré al Padre, y os dará otro Consolador, para que esté con vosotros para siempre: el Espíritu de verdad". - Juan 14:16,17

"...but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" - Romans 8:13-14


"Mas si por el Espíritu hacéis morir las obras de la carne, viviréis. Porque todos los que son guiados por el Espíritu de Dios, éstos son hijos de Dios. Pues no habéis recibido el espíritu de esclavitud para estar otra vez en temor, sino que habéis recibido el espíritu de adopción, por el cual clamamos: !!Abba, Padre!" - Romanos 8:13-14

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ, always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." - 2 Corinthians 2:14

"Mas a Dios gracias, el cual nos lleva siempre en triunfo en Cristo Jesús, y por medio de nosotros manifiesta en todo lugar el olor de su conocimiento." - 2ª Corintios 2:14

my list

with the spring always seems to come ganas (desires) to try new things or to actually do some of the things i've been putting off, do more outside stuff, etc., it comes along with the spring cleaning. okay, so here is my present list of things i want to do (but somehow if i actually think about them taking time have no idea where or when to add them to my schedule):

+ running & training for a half-marathon and then a full one (this is in motion, pun really not intended)

+ take rock climbing classes for a month or two to get better (and it doesn't hurt that it would come with free use of their climbing wall and the weight room - this actually has multiple pluses - (1) when i go to the mountains with the university mountain club to climb, i won't take as long getting up the mountain face, (2) i might be more likely to drop by the rock climbing wall in my spare time on campus, (3) it would be totally fun and i actually could get better - versus my present holding pattern)

+ possibly join this choir that some friends sing in (it's been awhile since i've been in a choir, but sounds like a lot of fun)

+ take driving lessons to get my spanish license (this should happen as soon as i get my new residence card in hand - hopefully in the next month) (yes, i do know how to drive and have a US license but it's fully invalid here and not at all useful)

+ guitar lessons (this will have to wait a little while)

+ seminary classes (as soon as the textbooks get here i'm going to take another one and when i finish that another one..., although with this list i think i'm a bit insane)

+ brush up on my ancient greek (i have good intentions, but we'll see. it might have to wait until i have a bit more time)

+ take another french class or really take some time to practice and learn it (again, i think this is going to have to wait a bit)

fun spanish bands

recently i've gotten to know several spanish bands, mainly by way of knowing people in the bands, but also by checking out "friends" of the band. here are a few that i particularly like. you can find their website via the "music i've been listening to recently" tab.

in no particular order...first is "my dear flotsam" of which my friend iñaki plays the drums. they are indie music similar to death cab for cutie.


second is "ni uno bueno" of which i now know most of the band. the people i know best are jomi, the bass player, dani, the trumpeter, and juan marcos, the saxophonist. their music is full of energy and is a mix of salsa, ska, and rock, with a bit of tango in one song and some spanish touches. they just came out with a new cd, which will be released shortly.


and last but not least, "this grace," who presently are residing mainly in london. i don't really know much about them, but i like what i've heard online. they are apparently are friends with "my dear flotsam."

Some good quotes

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Nelson Mandela


"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway."

-Mother Teresa

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

-St. Francis of Assisi

"Perhaps the best mirror is a person or culture entirely other than your own...it is unlearning yourself that teaches you who you really are."

-Anonymous

agua que da vida

Life-giving Water - EL AGUA QUE DA VIDA

"But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." - John 4:14

("Mas el que bebiere del agua que yo le daré, no tendrá sed jamás; sino que el agua que yo le daré será en él una fuente de agua que salte para vida eterna." - Juan 4:14)

"And he said, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." - Revelation 21:6

("Y me dijo: Hecho está. Yo soy el Alfa y la Omega, el principio y el fin. Al que tuviere sed, yo le daré gratuitamente de la fuente del agua de la vida." - Apocalipsis 21:6)

"O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water... Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you." - Psalm 63:1,3

("Dios, Dios mío eres tú; de madrugada te buscaré; mi alma tiene sed de ti, mi carne te anhela, en tierra seca y árida donde no hay aguas." - Salmo 63:1)

pure exhaustion

It's funny because it just occurred to me that I started another post about a week ago entitled "sleep, or lack thereof" and never got around to finishing it.

I must say that this has been quite a week. It's been a great week, and while I am exhausted, it seems like that is just part of my life.

note: photo taken from http://www.bunrab.com/photohutch/ichioka_photos/ichioka_phgal.html from a set of photos on sleep

Recently there have been various places I have been reminded of the importance and power in being thankful and expressing gratitude to God in whatever situation we may find ourselves. That, in fact, this gratitude ends up turning into joy and is one of the ways God blesses us and gives us the grace we need.

I've been thinking about that and trying to be more conscious of doing so. And the little e-mail I got today from the national office was about: "Gratitude to God." obviously timely. And it is interesting the verses they picked on this. So, here it is:

Gratitude to God - AGRADANDO A DIOS

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." - John 15:11

"Estas cosas os he hablado, para que mi gozo esté en vosotros, y vuestro gozo sea cumplido." - Juan 15:11

"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 15:5,6

"Pero el Dios de la paciencia y de la consolación os dé entre vosotros un mismo sentir según Cristo Jesús, para que unánimes, a una voz, glorifiquéis al Dios y Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo." - Romanos 15:5,6

"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:20

"Porque habéis sido comprados por precio; glorificad, pues, a Dios en vuestro cuerpo y en vuestro espíritu, los cuales son de Dios." - 1ª Corintios 6:20

the night

last night i was walking home. it wasn't super late, just about 11pm. i guess, in part because it was monday night, it felt more like 1 or 2 in the morning. there was hardly anyone out.

as i walked home, which was just about a 10 minute hike from the metro, i thought "i love walking home late a night." granted, it helps because i think i live in the prettiest part of madrid (which is part of why i chose this part of town). there are these amazing old buildings with beautiful architecture that is only highlighted by the lights (many of them have lights on the buildings, for aesthetics not functionality). it also feels fully safe, as it's a well traveled area. even if "no one" is out, there are still people.

so, what do i love about nights in madrid in the chamberi neighborhood? i love the architecture. i love the quietness of the night, the city seems to be asleep. i love that they clean the streets every night (and that magically they seem to keep from getting you wet if you happen to be out, even though they use these firefighter sized hoses). i love just having the city seemingly to myself. ah, madrid.

(for those of you who might ask what i was doing out at 11pm on a monday night, (a) it's really not that odd, in fact, 11pm would not be too late to call most people at home at night (since we eat dinner at 9 or 10pm), and (b) i had a meeting for a retreat this weekend.)

amazing!

So, it is clear that God hears our prayers, that he knows the desires of our hearts, and in a way I very much do not understand that prayer changes things. Tonight (actually I think it was sunday night, 24 feb, when i started this post) as I planned my week and made some phone calls it occurred to me that the Lord is answering one of my prayers (and I'm sure that of many others for me). (Honestly, there have been many times (this year in particular, but also throughout my time in Spain - particularly in hard times) that I've had a sense that people are praying for me, that God has a hedge of protection around me, that I am not alone in the spiritual battle.)

Specifically it looks like people helping out on campus is actually going to happen this semester! Pablín, a spanish guy from my church who did stuff with ágape (ccc) as a student, said that he can help me at least a couple days a week. And he knows a ton of university students both from the youth group at church (youth includes high school up to about mid-twenties or thirties) and from just being a spanish guy. Along with Pablín, there are two mid-twenties couples who recently arrived from the states with another missions organization (mtw) who are almost fully at my disposal (minus their time in language classes). amazing!

today the two couples and i went on campus. after we talked a bit and prayed we went to do surveys and i was definitely a bit giddy and overjoyed. overnight i went from being one to being six people. it was so nice to just have company. (i'm by no means saying this year has been all bad, because it has actually been a great year, but i do miss going with others and knowing that there are others there doing the same thing i am. that's all i'm saying.)

so, thanks for the prayers and keep it up! my hope it that very soon there would be a full-time staff team of pablíns and pablinas (spaniards) working with me on the various madrid campuses.

smog, pollution, and running

so, i used to love to go for a run from my apartment to the large park in the middle of the city (retiro), run around it a bit and then back. it's an hour+ run, which is great. plus i pass through some of the major sites of madrid (which is great fun).

but recently, i've begun to discover an unfortunate pattern (which began sometime last year and has repeated itself this year). often when i go running (at least in the winter months) in the morning - early morning to just normal morning (both of which are during rush hour), i get home, feel great, plan to do it everyday and then inevitable with in a day or two start to have flu-like symptoms.

it doesn't happen when i go at a different time of day, or on the weekend. it doesn't happen in the summer. nor does it happen when i go up to a park closer to my house and run around the almost mile long circuit. it seemed inexplainable and that surely it was all in my head. last year it meant i'd run for a week and then be sick and then repeat the cycle several times. this year, i've begun just to go to this track/park (which is really pretty, with a driving range in the middle, a 9-hole golf course, soccer fields, fountains,..., so i don't actually feel like i'm running in circles, which i kind of abhor). i go with my ipod & nike distance measurer and run for as long as i want. the added bonus is there are drinking fountains, i can go anytime of day and feel safe, and it's easy. the disadvantage is it's the same route everyday and, even if it doesn't seem like it, i am running in circles.

so, last week i decided to head to retiro yet again with one of my roommates. it felt great. as we were running i told her about a few years ago when i was in santiago, chile, for the summer. jason and i went running fairly regularly. i had run a marathon a couple months before and he just liked to run far distances, so it was great. in santiago there are a million dogs that chase you or guard you (from the other dogs, from the taxis, from other pedestrians,...)

this was also the summer that we ran through tear gas. only after we had run fully through it and realizing that both of our eyes, nose, and lungs were burning did we, after consider running across 7 lanes of traffic, turn right back around and run back through it. (it just happened that we were right by the university that protested class costs all summer, along with protests, riots, and much tear gas).

so, i was telling anna about this summer and mentioned how bad the pollution was - so much so that we rarely could see the mountains (which were just outside the city), there was a ton of visible smog, the entire summer when i blew my nose it was fully black (really), and that for the first two weeks i felt like i had a bad cold, with some flu-like symptoms.

it was only after i got back (and later started to feel a bit sick) that i began to think that maybe it isn't the best thing for my health to run in rush hour traffic, breathing in all the car exhaust and also the smoke from the majority of pedestrians i pass (which are quite numerous). looking some stuff up online, i have since found that madrid (which not obviously very polluted) apparently has exceeded maximum air pollution limits for the past eight years. and, it is due to the excessive traffic of cars (and my running path goes along one of the busiest streets for car traffic in madrid).

Additionally, it said that:

According to a European Commission’s recent study, air pollution causes in Europe 350,000 premature deaths per year, of which 16,000 correspond to Spain. In this country, due to air pollution, die more than 3 times more persons than in traffic accidents and almost 11 times more than in industrial accident.

The main air pollutant agent in Madrid is the vehicle, due to its structure of city of services and its little industry. The most problematic contaminants in the capital are carbon dioxide, NO2, and the suspended particles, PM10 (which were nearly 3x the max).

Ecologists In Action actually have filed a lawsuit against the city.


bad news - i don't think i'm going to continue running this route, at least not during morning rush hour - i think even if and when i get a car, i need to make an effort to not add too much to the pollution problem - and i guess it looks like the local park/ driving range/ track will continue to be my running buddy.

good news - i may have figured out what is going on and how to run but not make myself sick. in the meantime, i need to go visit my local health food store lady tomorrow for some stuff to boost my immune system and get me feeling better, i need to look into (sad) working out a bit more inside (at least part of the week), and it gives me a good incentive to be a bit more proactive in taking vitamins and such that will counteract some of the pollution's effects, as well as, work on building up my lungs so they can endure the pollution (if that's even possible).

all this said, i still have a theory (i seem to have many unproven theories). my theory is that while, yes, running in rush hour traffic is probably not the best, that if i build up my lung capacity and immune system that it won't bother me quite as much. (although even as i write this, i am not sure that it makes too much sense to try out this theory. although i still want to. i want to train on the mile long track for awhile, building up my mileage (eventually to run a marathon) and, while it not being the majority of my runs, on the long ones (and maybe another one here and there) return to the streets, or go searching for a less polluted trail. maybe i can find a way to run to casa del campo, which is probably about a thirty minute run just to get there. hmm... i'll let you know how it goes.

Once

So, I have to say that both the movie "Once" and it's soundtrack are incredible. Granted if you don't like one you probably wouldn't like the other. (The movie has more music than words.) I've been listening to it while doing other stuff and just have to say it's amazing!

Delight

The Lord's been reminding me quite a bit about the fact that he DELIGHTS in me and that he loves me immensely. This morning I decided to look up "delight" in the concordance and these are some of my findings (sorry it's a little long):

Genesis 3:6
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise,[1] she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.[1]Or to give insight

Deuteronomy 30:9
The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers,

1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

2 Samuel 22:20
He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

2 Chronicles 9:8
Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and set you on his throne as king for the Lord your God! Because your God loved Israel and would establish them forever, he has made you king over them, that you may execute justice and righteousness.”

Nehemiah 9:25
And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.

Esther 6:6, 7, 9, 11
So Haman came in, and the king said to him, “What should be done to the man whom the king delights to honor?” And Haman said to himself, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?”

And Haman said to the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor,

And let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. Let them dress the man whom the king delights to honor, and let them lead him on the horse through the square of the city, proclaiming before him: ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.’”

So Haman took the robes and the horse, and he dressed Mordecai and led him through the square of the city, proclaiming before him, “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor.”

Psalm 1:2
but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 5:4
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

Psalm 18:19
He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:11
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

Psalm 40:8
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 44:3
for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.

Psalm 51:6, 16
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart... For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

Psalm 119:35, 47, 77, 92, 174
Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it... for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love... Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight... If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction... I long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my delight.

Psalm 147:10
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

Proverbs 3:12
...for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 5:19
...a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.

Ecclesiastes 12:10
The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

Song of Solomon 2:3
[She] As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Song of Solomon 7:6
How beautiful and pleasant you are, O loved one, with all your delights!

Isaiah 1:11 (Show me Isaiah 1)
“What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

Isaiah 11:3
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,

Isaiah 42:1
Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 55:2
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

Isaiah 62:4
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.

Isaiah 65:12
I will destine you to the sword, and all of you shall bow down to the slaughter, because, when I called, you did not answer; when I spoke, you did not listen, but you did what was evil in my eyes and chose what I did not delight in.”

Jeremiah 9:24
...but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.

Micah 7:18
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.

Malachi 3:1, 12
“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.

Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.

Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being
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A few observations (from the verses above but also from the exhaustive list): the word "delight" is used in friendship (such as that between David and Jonathan), between lovers, about one with whom the Lord is pleased, about God's joy, His love, one being happy. Interestingly the word "delight" in the ESV is hardly used at all in the New Testament. I didn't have time to look it up in the Hebrew & Greek, but I'm sure that would provide more insight.

According to Vine's Expository Dictionary, the word we translate into delight is the same root word from which we get "hedonism."

Here is what they say (in Vine's):

Pleasure - NOUN - hepes, 2656 - "pleasure; delight; desire; request; affair; thing"

With respect to "pleasure" or "delight" the example they give is 1 Sam 15:22 - "Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?" Based on some of the verses in my little search, it can be applied to food, love between a man and woman (such as in Song of Songs),...

Hepes can mean not simply what one takes pleasure in or what gives someone delight but one's wish or desire: "Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow." "To do one's desire" is to grant a request (1 Kings 5:8). "Stones of desire" are precious stones (Is 54:12).

VERB - "to take pleasure in, take care of, desire, delight in, have delight in."

ADJ - "delighting in, having pleasure in" - Psalm 35:27 - "Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant."

The Daily Office - Prayer

A staff friend is doing doctoral research on Celtic spirituality and asked us to join him in praying through the Daily Office. (I have no idea why it's called that. I'll have to look into it.) The following are taken from: http://www.northumbriacommunity.org/PraytheOffice/

Prayer is just talking to God, so there is nothing magical about these prayers. But there is real depth in them, being taken from Scripture and Church Creeds. As I have begun to pray them, there is definitely a refreshment from the Scripture that reminds me who I am, whose I am, and who my God is.

According to my friend, "One of the profound aspects of this ancient spirituality is a rich rhythm of prayer using the daily office alone and in community. I would like you to experiment praying the Daily Office of the Northumbria Community for the next two weeks. Use at least the Morning and Evening Office daily for personal use and pray the Office together when you meet as teams. The key to praying the office is the rhythm it brings to the day in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Depending on your personal prayers offered it only takes minutes to pray. But, the power of this form is not just in the words offered but creating space in the midst of our urban lifestyles to pray, to listen, and to hear from our Great God and King, Jesus Christ."

So, here it is. Enjoy!
---

Morning Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen




Opening sentences

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Call & Response

Who is it that you seek? We seek the Lord our God.
Do you seek Him with all your heart? Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek Him with all your soul? Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek Him with all your mind? Amen. Lord, have mercy.
Do you seek Him with all your strength? Amen. Christ, have mercy.

Declaration of faith

To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.


Scripture readings, Meditation, Prayers for others


Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield overshadow me.
Christ under me; Christ over me;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,
wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness,
protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
---

Midday Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen




Opening Sentences

Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us.
Establish Thou the work of our hands;
establish Thou the work of our hands.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen

Declaration of faith

We believe and trust in God the Father Almighty.
We believe and trust in Jesus Christ His Son.
We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit.
We believe and trust in the Three in One.

Canticle

Teach us, dear Lord, to number our days;that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Oh, satisfy us early with Thy mercy,that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish Thou the work of our hands. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish Thou the work of our hands, dear Lord.

Blessing

Let nothing disturb thee,
nothing affright thee;
all things are passing,
God never changeth!
Patient endurance
attaineth to all things;
who God possesseth
in nothing is wanting;
alone God sufficeth.

In the name of the Father,and of the Son,and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
---

Evening Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen




Opening sentences

My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

Call & Response

Out of the depths I have cried to You. O Lord, hear my voice.
With my whole heart I want to praise You. O Lord, hear my voice.
If you, Lord, should mark iniquities: Who could stand? who could stand?

I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word do I hope.

Expressions of faith

Lord, You have always given bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor, today I believe.

Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak, today I believe.

Lord, You have always given peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart, today I believe.

Lord, You have always kept me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am, today I believe.

Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden, today I believe.

Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here, today I believe.

Lord, You have always spoken when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now, today I believe.

Scripture readings, Meditation, Prayers for others

Canticle

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

The Lord is my light, my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

One thing I ask of the Lord, one thing I seek;
to dwell in the presence of my God, to gaze on Your holy place.

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

I believe I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. O wait for the Lord! Have courage and wait, wait for the Lord.

In the shadow of Your wings I will sing Your praises, O Lord.

Blessing

See that ye be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another. Follow the example of good men of old and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

smells...

so, it just occurred to me tonight that as of late I have begun to smell things that come from somewhere else in the building. earlier today it was smoke, but now it is a fairly strong mediciney menthol/vicks smell. strange.

i'm not quite sure where it's coming from. i'm guessing it's my neighbor "joseph" (who apparently is awake right now watching a semi-humerous tv call-in show -- of course, sound travels just as well as smell does). but it is a bit strange... i've lived in this apartment (and same bedroom) for almost two years and only now am discovering the ... strange and slightly humorous smells

a couple more thoughts for the day

Okay, let me be honest. I get an e-mail like this about every day, but don't actually read it every day. Sometimes I do and that is that. Sometime I read it and do really want to share it with you all. But other times I know the only way I'm going to actually read it and meditate on it at all is if I put it here. So, part of me putting these lists of Scripture here is for your benefit and enjoyment, but part of it is really for myself. Enjoy!
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A Deep Conviction (UNA CONVICCIÓN PROFUNDA)

"For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." - 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

("Porque todas las promesas de Dios son en Él Sí, y en Él Amén, por medio de nosotros, para la gloria de Dios. Y el que nos confirma con vosotros en Cristo, y el que nos ungió, es Dios, el cual también nos ha sellado, y nos ha dado las arras del Espíritu en nuestros corazones." 2ª Corintios 1:20-22)

"...because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you reeived the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia an din Achaia." - 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7

("Pues nuestro evangelio no llegó a vosotros en palabras solamente, sino también en poder, en el Espíritu Santo y en plena certidumbre, como bien sabéis cuáles fuimos entre vosotros por amor de vosotros." - 1ª Tesalonicenses 1:5)

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2

("Ahora, pues, ninguna condenación hay para los que están en Cristo Jesús, los que no andan conforme a la carne, sino conforme al Espíritu. Porque la ley del Espíritu de vida en Cristo Jesús me ha librado de la ley del pecado y de la muerte" - Romanos 8:1-2)

Marathon Running

Okay, I think I'm really going for it. I'm going to run my second marathon.

Last thursday I was talking to a friend of mine who doesn't run, but who has begun to run and is going to run Madrid's half-marathon the last weekend in April, April 27th. I told her I'd love to do it with her and her friends and that, if possible, maybe I'd even do the marathon in lieu of the half. But...after doing a little research (and coming to my senses a bit - it is in 10 weeks), I think I've decided to train well, to run the half marathon with them, and then a full marathon in June (possibly in the mountains outside of Madrid, fun, ¿no?... I'm still looking into this part).

So, if you happen to be in Madrid on the 27th of April and want to join me, that would be fabulous! Or, if you want to run a full marathon (or even the first half with me) sometime in late June, let me know!

Some Thoughts for the Day

(UN SACRIFICIO COMPLETO)

"... he has appeared once for all at the end of teh ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." - Hebrews 9:26

("... Él se presentó una vez para siempre por el sacrificio de sí mismo para quitar de en medio el pecado." Hebreos 9:26)

"... he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." - Hebrews 9:12

("y no por sangre de machos cabríos ni de becerros, sino por su propia sangre, entró una vez para siempre en el Lugar Santísimo, habiendo obtenido eterna redención." - Hebreos 9:12)

"... looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12:2

("puestos los ojos en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe, el cual por el gozo puesto delante de Él sufrió la cruz, menospreciando el oprobio, y se sentó a la diestra del trono de Dios." - Hebreos 12:2)

Note: taken from an e-mail I got this morning