What is Truth?

"What is Truth?" 

The question that was posed right before sentencing an innocent man to death and releasing an imprisoned terrorist (Jn 18:38).

We are currently living in a culture that glorifies embracing one's own ideas of truth and reality. Simultaneously, there is a push for social justice, loving people, and improving the human condition. 

But if we don't know what truth is, how do we know what justice is?

From the movie Stay.

An introductory lecture to worldview and philosophy has shown me that I have embraced much of today's popular worldviews (which actually aren't so new, but have resonated throughout millenniums). I've discovered that I am curiously and analytically skeptical toward many biblical world views. What a brilliant recognition to a sneaky tainting of how I view and live life. While this illumination intimidates me with questioning and investing in
fundamental and ornamental truths, I am excited to pray and dig into God's character to discover what truth really is. 

The Postmodern would be that which in the modern invokes the unpresentable in presentation itself, that which refuses the consolation of correct forms, refuses the consensus of taste permitting a common experience of nostalgia for the impossible, and inquires into new presentations -- not to take pleasure in them, but to better produce the feeling that there is something unpresentable.

-Jean Francois Lyotard

We want to see freedom? We want to see justice? We want to believe that nothing really matters? We want life to the fullest now and eternally?


What is truth?


Instead of asking this rhetorically, like Pilate in his cynic culture, let's seek it out. If God is truth, we can be confident that when we pray and seek truth we will find Him (Jer 29:13).


God, provide a community where I can delve deeply into philosophies and discover what is true and discover Your character. Thank You for Your perfect timing, prodding, and provision. Help me know You more.

Trust Falls

Today, I took a leap of faith, and I jumped off a cliff. 

Recently, I've been recognizing some extremely skewed views I have on God - views that have been hindering my trust of Him, of people, and even of myself. I feel like He is calling me into a season of renewing my perspective and teaching me how to trust Him in strong and healthy ways. 

So, I jumped off a cliff.

Some friends were going to the End of the World here in Kona, HI. It's a sweet place to go cliff diving. I had no intention of doing such a thing. In the past couple of years, I have become more aware of my body, how important it is to take care of it as a dancer, and I'm just not as big of a fan of heights. Logical. But, I felt God challenge me... I felt Him saying He wanted to use this jump as an exercise of faith.

I scoped out the area for a good spot. With the help of the awesome Ships DTS, I found a solid place with little risk. Many had gone before me, and I cringed at the suspense of every one of them. Now here I was, taking forever and a day to jump. 

I felt Him whisper it was okay, He would protect me. I found reassurance looking beyond the step in front of me, and gazing into the horizon. I was shaking like mad, and everyone was encouraging me to go. I felt His assurance that I needn't go on their timing, but His.

After a loooooong wait, I push off, scream JESUSS!!!!!!!!!!! 

Photo Credit: Jamie Parrish

Then, I am swallowed up in the water. Ah, what a sweet release. It was magnificent to be surrounded by an expanse of water that has the power to destroy, bring life, thrash, and direct. It was so easy to float with the smooth swells and feel like I was a part of something infinitely bigger than I am.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

God is pushing my borders. He is challenging me to let go of what I think will save me for the adventure of His life. While this sounds like an easy trade-off, there are lots of deeply rooted barriers that stand in the way. I am super pumped that God called me to jump. As I continue forward in this season of renewal, I will have this glorious, physical picture of diving into God's deep embrace. He will take care of me. Hallelujah, amen!




**If you are interested in formal updates about the school of dance ministry I am doing, feel free to contact me/send me an e-mail with your e-mail and/or contact information. I am aiming to send out at least one newsletter a month. If you did not receive the July newsletter, please let me know.**

This is Why

What motivates me to dance, you ask?

Click HERE to see

Excited is an understatement. 

A gagillion thanks to the insanely talented Amber Doerr for creating this video.

I can't do this alone. The school of dance ministry I am attending costs $15,000 (broken up into three payments of $5,000) While that sounds like an outrageous number, if 100 people (about 10% of my Facebook friends) donated an average of $150, the whole school would be paid in full. So far, in just a short month, we have raised 1/3 of the whole school and outreach! I encourage you to pray about your role in this powerful ministry.

It's super easy to donate. You can make a donation via cash, check to Cathy Kaecher, or online via this nifty PayPal button:

 


Spiritual support is also a ginormous need. Let me know if you are interested in joining my mailing list. I will also be using this blog to keep you lovely peepz updated :)

Let's rock this thing together!

Mission: Benefit Dinner = Success!

Hello my friends!


Wow, a HUGE thank you to everyone who made the benefit dinner such a success. We prayed it'd be a holistic blessing, and it indeed was! I was so encouraged by your support. I am so glad we were able to show how God rocks our passions/gifts/service - whether dance, music, cooking, organizing, or sharpening pencils (thanks Lydia!).  We raised $4,198!! Tchyeah mann!

I think it was really the first time I have been able to share my heart for dance via words and actual dance for friends and family. Thank you for creating such a loving and welcoming environment for me to share it with you :) Everyone using what they love to make God's plans happen was like a taste of heaven. I have learned and grown so much through every step.

There is still much support raising to be done, but it is definitely becoming more of a feasible reality! I would most definitely appreciate your prayers. I've been discovering in the past couple of weeks how big spiritual support is. As time draws closer, I am getting so pumped! But I also feel the effects of tricky old and new spiritual attacks.

Hallelujah! God is doing a good thing, and He will be faithful to complete it! Thank you all for joining with me in this exciting adventure.

Didn't get to make it to the dinner but still want to support? It's super easy! Just click the button below to make an online donation. If you would prefer to donate with check or cash, just let me know :) Please feel free to contact me if you would like to join my e/mailing list ^_^

To check out online and offline donation progress and to see other updates, click HERE!

Reflections I : Empathy is not the End

Reflections on Reflecting:
After a few days of feeling pretty dead (natural after weeks of upbeat work, however enjoyable, without rest), I felt some crazy, unattended convictions that needed reflection.

Ah, reflection. We do everything we can - checking cell phones, FB, etc.- to avoid looking unproductive or bored for something as silly as thinking. It is nonetheless so necessary.

After days of avoiding reflection, God tricked me into it. I watched Les Miserables with my family, and I couldn't help but burst at the seams with passions that needed reflection. Here are snippets from my journal entry (the "You"s refer to God... I kinda prayer journal ;) ).

3-31-13 9:30ish p.m.

It is scary delving into pain, but it is necessary and beautiful with the right support.

From Pain to Happiness to What Now?

Loss of love, dreams, and innocence is so real.

I've known it.

But a long healing process has brought me to a place of beautiful happiness. I've found steadfastness in You that I've never had before. It's glorious. But I've discovered I've built walls. Walls to protect me from feeling the pain of the past. That in and of itself is not so bad, arguably healthy. But the problem lies in the lack of empathy and sensitivity I've had toward people of whom "life has killed the dream [they] dreamed" (Les Mis). Earlier in life, my life's goal was to cry with the broken hearted and let them know that they were not alone. Now, it terrifies me.


Me not being sensitive.


Maybe that's because I have been missing something: 
It's not enough to cry with the brokenhearted.

Sure, it's glamorous in snapshots. But the reality of it is a day by day living it out - living alongside people through deep conversations, funny jokes, crazy schedules, and lazy summer days. Can I partner alongside people with Your hope and empathy? Cry alongside in honesty and rebuild again in truth? These are the scariest things.



Hide and... well, stay hiding.


Maybe it's time to stop hiding from abuse/brokenness. A time of selfish happiness was nice - it taught me that it is not shameful nor shallow to be innocent, optimistic, and happy. But let's not be ignorant.

I've been hiding, afraid of losing the joy and new found innocence, only to find the joy is hollow and fragile if not shared and lived with others who need it. Christ came and indubitably had joyous, carefree times, but He also came to suffer and bind up the broken. And He was dang good at it - the movement hasn't died.

But it does get messy. There's lots of follow up. What do you do after you stir a heart to bleed again? I can't do it on my own. It overwhelms me.



Just realizing the complications isn't helpful.

Let's get back to the heart of it. Is the heart that we are all broken? Is the heart that we're all shattered and in need/missing something? Surely it's a part, but not complete. Is it that there is marvelous joy and complete happiness - again, merely a part.

The heart of it is God: Truth, love, empathy for brokenness, grace, healing, understanding, and perfect timing.

 

 

"This is what we are about: we plant seeds that will one day grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something and to do it well. It may be incomplete, but it's a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the LORD's Grace to enter and do the rest."

-Compline qtd. from Dan Emerick

To be honest, I am awful at loving people. I can't do it on my own, nor was I meant to. Great thing is, we are not alone.

God, I've got a lot to learn. Thank You for Your grace and patience with me. This is a crazy road we're on, but I can tell You're teaching me lots. I love You. Help me to know, love, and trust You more. I'm not so great at it most of the time :P

Succulence

I want to live
             Succulently
                       with myself 
                                    other ladies
                                                 and fellas


I want to be alive and live wildly, gratefully, and succulently.



                  I don't want to be jealous.

~wasting time
~~wishing to punch people in the face while simultaneously stalking them on facebook
~~~feeling inferior.
     Instead, I want to turn that silly energy into inspiration - loving what is beautiful about other peepz. Or I could just simply remember that I have rockin parts, too.

I think I need to initiate more. I've been hermiting much too much. I need to make friend dates, make people feel special and create times and environments for people to be
                Open 
                                                 and  Free
                                     to be
                                             Succulent 

Parks,        dancing,       Picnics,          Dresses,    Learning and Sharing Favorites,
  Travel,        LOUD or soft music,              Planting,         Inspiring Thoughts
Starry nights,        Discovering Favorites,                Movies,      Books
      Loving Inconveniently,         Challenges,    Dreams,    Steps,        Fears,
Previous Accomplishments,            Embarrassing Mistakes,        Taking Risks,
    Loving People Who are Hard to Love,     Truly getting to know the people of which I am jealous with joy and without prejudice.    

Maybe not being inhibited by "Nice Rules" that sacrifice REAL connection, realness, and goodness.

Maybe time and resources are tricky, but there is certainly time to carve into to take creative and loving risks.






Inspired by:
~Jesus ~Sark ~Paul Rice ~Barbara Brutt

For the People Pleasers

I was once told that some people may like me now, but if I were to actually move in with them, they would see who I really am and wouldn't be able to stand me.

I realized that this is what terrified me.

Challenged by this book (Succulent Wild Woman by Sark), I decided to grab the bait and bring this business to God. 

What about this is scary? That if people are around me too long, they will lose interest? Yes, in part. If I am not entertaining or pleasing to people constantly, then I am not worthy of love. And since I've seen and felt many times that I can't be pleasing to everyone, then my being does not possess anything loveable. And that is one of my biggest fears - not being worth anything and not having nor being able to give love.

Wow, even writing that out, I can see how that is terrible logic... Amazing how just naming things helps to process and bring light to core things that affect lots of our anxieties/thoughts/actions and seem insuperable.

But let's continue investigating this darkness and get out all of those pesky little roots.

I began talking with God about it. There is a reason this is scary and a valid fear. People do tire of other people. People do have qualities that make you want to run away and just forget them. I have these qualities, and even worse, I've seen myself react to people in this way... So, what the heck, God? We're just kind of screwed? 

Then I felt Him say something like 'You're right. People do get bored with each other. There is misunderstanding. It is impossible to fully know and fully love another person. Nobody could ever fully know you and love you. But I do. That is why it is so important to love with My Love.'

I could never truly love anyone out of my own will. I've tried. It's very self-centered, and I get too anxious over silly things, there is no room for grace (especially for myself), and my value and sense of self worth is placed on other people who actually don't have it all figured out either. 

But when we value and love people because God values and loves people, the love is true, pure, life giving, and firmly rooted. It won't depend on emotions, it won't depend on stature nor time. It will see the hope and rejoice and work together to share and bring Love back to the ultimate source. 

To do's:

-When feeling anxious about situations - check in with God and see what's up.

-When wanting to back away/avoid people, check with God's perspective

-Listen and follow where He leads, not what I feel like doing nor even what other people want from me. 

God, Your love is crazy. I don't understand it, but I am SO grateful to be a part of it. 

You frikken rule.

 I like You a lot.