Autumn

I do not really know how to start this post (the third in 4 days...what is going on?). There are so many thoughts going through my head--thoughts of a beautiful day well spent, thoughts of cooking and baking and yummy foods, thoughts of justice and love and what they look like, and how they really are the same, thoughts of socialism and the early church, and thoughts of prophets of old and present day prophets (of false?). So many things that I have thought about this week, and so many places to start...so many blogs for the future, perhaps?

But let me start with Autumn. Beautiful autumn. I will begin by saying I hope my journey in this life does not permanently land me in the city. While I have enjoyed the bustles and free museums of the city, I thoroughly miss the outdoors and nature absent from it. Seeking to find an adventure in the woods seems to me, before it takes place, like an adventure too costly in energy. But today we took advantage of the cooling weather and found this adventure across the street from our humble home in Fort Totten Park. And it was well worth it. I forget how being in nature rejuvenates and refocuses me. It is nice to hear the sound of leaves beneath your feet and the wind in the trees above you. And the colors--the colors were absolutely breathtaking. I will attempt (and as always, probably fail) to post some pictures on this blog in an orderly fashion.

Fort Totten, as some of you may know (I, however, did not before today), was one of the forts protecting the city of Washington, DC during the Civil War. The park at Fort Totten, which is up a hill and across the street from our humble abode, is a memorial, of sorts, to this Fort, and still maintains some of the earth works that are left over from the war. The earth works, Luke tells me, are the parts of the earth that were built up to make the fort harder to attack. It was pretty amazing, and definitely could not be captured on film. However, we did hike around the earth works, and when you come visit you can too!

I have always loved the colors of autumn. How greens burst into bright gold, reds and oranges. How leaves slowly and beautifully drift to the ground. It is such a shame that it ends so quickly, and yet the crisp air holds promise of snow and cozy winter months (hopefully cozy...). I was delighted to find that autumn colors are just as vibrant in the city as they are in the wooded areas of North Carolina. Our God is truly an artistic God. But I will cease my narration for a moment and just show you the pictures for yourself. I will remind you that I am not nearly the photographer that I wish I was, and so these pictures do not capture the true beauty we saw...but I'm sure you could have guessed that.

In other news (but what other news besides the glory of nature is there?), Luke and I will be attending a church for two weeks in a row...we think we found a good one, folks, and we're pretty excited about the whole idea of finding a place where we can belong in the body of believers. We'll let you know how it turns out.

Speaking of the body of believers, I've been in Acts lately and I've found it really challenging. I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but since moving here I've discovered that I'm a pretty materialistic person. Even since Luke has gotten a job I've found myself struggling with the ideas of what it will be like to have money versus what it will look like to give that money away. I know that there is being a good steward of your money, but then there is also the point where you have to hold it with open hands and let God show you what being a good steward of your money is, and I'm just not sure what that's going to look like. The passage I've found most striking is this one:

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32-37)

Now, I have to admit, I've read this passage before more in judgment than in self-judgment. Wondering why other people aren't this giving and open. But when Luke and I were struggling with moving and paying the rent several people opened up their wallets, offering to help if we needed it, and I thought that was really amazing and it knocked me off my feet. And now we are wondering the same kind of things...how are we going to be good stewards of our money, and how are we going to hold our possessions with open hands, willing to help anyone who might come across our path. God calls each and every Christian to a higher way of living...a giving kind of living...and humble way of living...dare I even say a Socialist way of living...but maybe that is taking it too far...

I don't really know what to make of this passage in Acts. And I don't know what to make of other passages either (like ones in Isaiah where God says that our offerings mean nothing unless we also live a life of justice...what does that mean?)...and I'm sure there will be many more musings over what it means like to live a giving life of justice. I do know one thing...the world is headed in one direction and we, as Christians, are called to head the other way. But these are just some stirring thoughts on a beautiful day...

(Just a throw in picture so you can see my handsome husband...plus, I thought it was appropriate...)