Thursday, March 27, 2008

the reality of the Cross

sometimes it hits me.  
this joy I have,
this life I've been given.

it's not a fairy-tale
it's the result of a real man
who lived a real, sinless life
who suffered 
on a cross
and took the wrath
of my very real sin.

the sky went dark
the veil was torn
it was finished.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

what do you think He'd say

if you were sitting face to face with Jesus, 
what would He say to you?

my answer:
"I love you.  Why don't you trust me?"

the reality:
"I LOVE YOU!
 I LOVE YOU!
 I LOVE YOU!"

O praise the one who paid my debt,
and raised this life up from the dead.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

I needed to hear this

The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, and forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. . . 
Exodus 34.6, 7a

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

a day in the life. . .

I got in trouble at J.Crew for sharing my faith. I guess that's a good thing, but it still felt kinda crummy. I'm struggling with how to glorify Him there without pushing the limit to far. Especially since everyone has apparently decided that they should reveal all their innermost thoughts about "church" to me.
One of my managers told me it's okay, as long as we only talk about church and not theology. Since it's obvious those 2 are very different things. What an unfortunately true statement about the church in America.

In other news, a lady at Starbucks is apparently trying to set me up with customers. I being so oblivious had no idea that her introduction the other day had a sneaky intent.
And, last night at J.Crew a guy was apparently hitting on me. Once again, no idea. In all fairness, the sleeve tattoo did throw me off a little.
After he left I was deciding I didn't like it that a total stranger was hitting on me. So, I proclaimed, "stranger danger." Apparently I'm the only person in the world who uses that. They had no idea what I was talking about. But vowed they would use it with their children one day.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Wilderness Wakeup

What do you do?
What do you do when you wake up in the wilderness?
Fully aware that no matter how small your part,
you still had a part to play in ending up there.
And also fully aware that the only thing you can do
is rely on Him.
For streams in the desert.
And manna from heaven.

But you continue to circle.
Just like the Israelites.
So close to the promised land.
And unable to make your way over that line.
Into the land of milk and honey.

Do you try to be at peace?
Listen to the voices constantly telling you,
that everything will be okay?
Even when you feel like your world is falling apart.

Do you try to work your way in?
Listen to the voices telling you that once you are content,
the Lord will bring you out of this time?
Even though you know that in reality it has absolutely nothing to do with you.

And absolutely everything to do with His Glory.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

my life, in pictures

Saw this recently and liked it, so I thought I'd try. . .

1. Answer the questions below
2. Take each answer and type in to Flickr
3. Take any picture from the first page of results, and post.

The age I'll be on my next birthday. . .


A place I'd like to travel. . .


Favorite place. . .


Favorite object. . .


Favorite food. . .


Favorite animal. . .


Favorite color. . .


Where I was born. . .


The town in which I live. . .


Favorite band. . .


First name. . .


Last name. . .


Favorite store. . .


Favorite song. . .


Favorite movie. . .

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

done!

In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the moth of the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 40.3-5

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1.14

We have seen what the Patriarchs continually begged to see.
The glory of God!
In the face of Christ. . .

Moses said, "Please show me your glory."  
Exodus 33.18

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

if only. . .

"If I only touch his garment, I will be made well."
Matthew 9.21b

This is where I find myself today.  
Knowing that if I could just get to Him.  
Touch Him.  Just for a moment.
Everything will be okay.
This pain will end.
I'll be whole again.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

promises from a prophet

trust, and do not be afraid; for the Lord God is your strength and your song, and He has become your salvation
the wisest counselors of Pharaoh give stupid counsel, Egypt's help is worthless and empty
exalt the Lord, for He has done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure
He is a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat
He will swallow up death, FOREVER, and wipe away your tears
He will keep in perfect peace he whose mind is steadfast, because you trust in Him
you will hear a voice behind you saying, "this is the way"
waters will break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert
those who wait, will renew their strength
the darkness will be light before you, the rough places smooth
the waters will not overwhelm you, the flames will not burn you
you will not be forgotten, you are engraved on His hand
you will not be put to shame
He will go before and behind

Isaiah



rapper's delight

never heard theology this way.  check it out!


Saturday, March 01, 2008

strength in the valley

In the Valley
from Valley of Vision

When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn’t be my decision
It’s here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley’s where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You’re near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley’s where Your power is revealed