Oh yes... so i've decided to start my travel journalism dream now.
So... more to come. However, start getting excited now, awesomeness is coming.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
What a Good King!
There was this boy. Puzzled and perplexed. Life had hit him hard. Marred and angry. Wounded deeply by loved ones. Trampled ruthlessly by the pains of life. Thrashed by his great enemy and left for ruin. Bruised. Beaten. Yet still strong enough for one more search. So he went looking, to the furthest place he could manage. Not running away from life, but simply retreating to find rest.
To a small town he traveled, nestled between mountains. Not spectacular mountains. Rather, a simple place, not well known, nor with much to offer him. Except an escape and a chance to retreat. Retreat is what he did.
There he joined the King’s family for a while. A simple family. In a simple house. Marked by an imperfect, yet deep love for one another. They had a joy that was different. It was simple, and real. They laughed and enjoyed life, even in the midst of their own pain. Though children of the King, they experienced some of the same trials this boy had. But what was the difference, he thought?
They spoke of this King. Highly. About his work in the town, and all the merciful acts he had shown the family. The grace he had extended without reproach. The kindness he had shown in provisions. And goodness and power he had shown even when life in the land was hard. Even for the King’s family. This boy saw a difference.
Still scarred—remnants of the deep pain life had ushered him—he started asking questions. Walking with the King’s men. Sitting at their feet and asking questions. Humble, honest, soul deep, life directing questions. Their words were surprising simple. Void of confusing jargon, and twisted manipulation, and haughty say-so. They made sense, and pierced through the haze of confusion and anger. These Words came from the King himself. Spoken to these men. Studied and applied, as the King delights in. Not words from a simple man, but from the King himself. A powerful, and mighty, yet real and simple King. To know. To serve. To love. The King a simple boy could follow.
Sitting on the roadside one day, he decided to do just that. Not in a fancy display of emotion, but a simple soul deep decision. Not knowing entirely what that held for him, he knew that the King was the only one who could give meaning. Purpose. Healing. His questions are still plenty. His heart is still scarred with hurt. His life still being hammered by hardship. But he has chosen to follow the King, and to be apart of the King’s family, one he now knows is a lot larger than before. In time, answers will come. Healing will happen. However, this simple, deeply powerful, decision has changed the course of this boys life, now. What a good King!
To a small town he traveled, nestled between mountains. Not spectacular mountains. Rather, a simple place, not well known, nor with much to offer him. Except an escape and a chance to retreat. Retreat is what he did.
There he joined the King’s family for a while. A simple family. In a simple house. Marked by an imperfect, yet deep love for one another. They had a joy that was different. It was simple, and real. They laughed and enjoyed life, even in the midst of their own pain. Though children of the King, they experienced some of the same trials this boy had. But what was the difference, he thought?
They spoke of this King. Highly. About his work in the town, and all the merciful acts he had shown the family. The grace he had extended without reproach. The kindness he had shown in provisions. And goodness and power he had shown even when life in the land was hard. Even for the King’s family. This boy saw a difference.
Still scarred—remnants of the deep pain life had ushered him—he started asking questions. Walking with the King’s men. Sitting at their feet and asking questions. Humble, honest, soul deep, life directing questions. Their words were surprising simple. Void of confusing jargon, and twisted manipulation, and haughty say-so. They made sense, and pierced through the haze of confusion and anger. These Words came from the King himself. Spoken to these men. Studied and applied, as the King delights in. Not words from a simple man, but from the King himself. A powerful, and mighty, yet real and simple King. To know. To serve. To love. The King a simple boy could follow.
Sitting on the roadside one day, he decided to do just that. Not in a fancy display of emotion, but a simple soul deep decision. Not knowing entirely what that held for him, he knew that the King was the only one who could give meaning. Purpose. Healing. His questions are still plenty. His heart is still scarred with hurt. His life still being hammered by hardship. But he has chosen to follow the King, and to be apart of the King’s family, one he now knows is a lot larger than before. In time, answers will come. Healing will happen. However, this simple, deeply powerful, decision has changed the course of this boys life, now. What a good King!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Crooks and Crannies
"The only way we can be of use to God is to let Him take us through the crooks and crannies of our own character."
"We have to get ride of the idea that we understand ourselves, it is the last conceit to go. The only One Who understands us is God. The greatest curse in spiritual life is conceit. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we shall never say-- "Oh i am so unworthy," because we shall know we are, beyond the possibility of stating it. As long as we are not quite sure that we are unworthy, God will keep narrowing us in until he gets us alone. Wherever there is any element of pride or of conceit Jesus cannot expound a thing. he will take us through the disappointment of a wounded pride of intellect, through disappointment of heart. He will reveal inordinate affections-- things over which we never though he would have to get us alone. We listen to many things in classes, but they are not an exposition to us yet. They will be when God gets us alone over them."
Ouch. That will shave off a chunk of pride. It's in those moments of "clarity" when i start to see myself as i really am, that the Lord steps in and shows me otherwise. Often compliments a good dose of disappointment.
He, above anyone, knows me. Intimately and perfectly. In breaking down my pride, and showing me who i am in the light of HIS glory, i am left alone. Alone before my creator and sustainer. That's where the fun begins. Once he's stripped me of comfort, and the false sense of knowing who i am, and the comfort i've found in that, he is gentle and gracious to show me the soot and cobwebs hidden between the neatly stacked idols and "inordinate affections" i've masterfully arranged. I thought i had dealt with this already. A few times before i'm sure. My pride. I thought i killed this one. Or at least masked it well enough to pass for something less repulsive. Nope. He's found it. Well maybe revealed it is a better description... it's not like i can hide it from Him anyway.
Who am i that he would first even care to show me, gently, the ways of my pride, and two, even desire me to do his work knowing such. Christ knows me. Alone before him. Stripped bare, he knows me. The raw and real... the beautiful parts of my character and especially the offensive part of it. It amazes me that knowing all that, he loves me and has a plan for me. To use me as a tool in the advancement of His kingdom. It's amazing. It leads me to the foot of the Cross. Where my King died for my pride. Where he took on His Father's wrath, which my pride caused, in rightful my place.
It's too amazing for words.
"We have to get ride of the idea that we understand ourselves, it is the last conceit to go. The only One Who understands us is God. The greatest curse in spiritual life is conceit. If we have ever had a glimpse of what we are like in the sight of God, we shall never say-- "Oh i am so unworthy," because we shall know we are, beyond the possibility of stating it. As long as we are not quite sure that we are unworthy, God will keep narrowing us in until he gets us alone. Wherever there is any element of pride or of conceit Jesus cannot expound a thing. he will take us through the disappointment of a wounded pride of intellect, through disappointment of heart. He will reveal inordinate affections-- things over which we never though he would have to get us alone. We listen to many things in classes, but they are not an exposition to us yet. They will be when God gets us alone over them."
Ouch. That will shave off a chunk of pride. It's in those moments of "clarity" when i start to see myself as i really am, that the Lord steps in and shows me otherwise. Often compliments a good dose of disappointment.
He, above anyone, knows me. Intimately and perfectly. In breaking down my pride, and showing me who i am in the light of HIS glory, i am left alone. Alone before my creator and sustainer. That's where the fun begins. Once he's stripped me of comfort, and the false sense of knowing who i am, and the comfort i've found in that, he is gentle and gracious to show me the soot and cobwebs hidden between the neatly stacked idols and "inordinate affections" i've masterfully arranged. I thought i had dealt with this already. A few times before i'm sure. My pride. I thought i killed this one. Or at least masked it well enough to pass for something less repulsive. Nope. He's found it. Well maybe revealed it is a better description... it's not like i can hide it from Him anyway.
Who am i that he would first even care to show me, gently, the ways of my pride, and two, even desire me to do his work knowing such. Christ knows me. Alone before him. Stripped bare, he knows me. The raw and real... the beautiful parts of my character and especially the offensive part of it. It amazes me that knowing all that, he loves me and has a plan for me. To use me as a tool in the advancement of His kingdom. It's amazing. It leads me to the foot of the Cross. Where my King died for my pride. Where he took on His Father's wrath, which my pride caused, in rightful my place.
It's too amazing for words.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
It's Happenin'.
Life that is.
I was having some quiet time yesterday and i realized just how much is going on right now! Truly. Big, life changing things are going down all around me. Friends are getting married, engaged, prego. Sister's having a baby. 21 unit SPring Semester and graduation looms. Summer weddings are creeping up... summer plans are forming. Job applications being sent out. Man... so much is going on!!
Today i mailed off my first job application. Yikes... talk about reality setting in! It's for the Dream Foundation... hoping that one day i could say i "Facilitate Dreams". How awesome would that be!! We'll see where that one takes me... possibly to Santa Barbara! That would be a nicer change in location!
But before that... im sort of planning my summer. So check it out... May 23rd i graduate. Yeah... i'm not going to get into that one. But then June 5th my friend is getting married. In Montana. So im headed out there for that! Which is SUPER exciting. So here's my somewhat plan... buy a jeep. Road-trip to Montana( hopefully with someone... no fun by myself). Celebrate and enjoy time with my sista. And then when she peaces out to enjoy honeymoon bliss... i'll head up to Banff. Rocky mountain/Canadian, single life bliss! : ) Stay there for a few days and then make my way back to california... to start prepin' for Sista Wedding Numero Dos. Where i'll start all over again... minus the road trip and Canadian Bliss.
Then... i guess if my jeep makes it... ill drive it somewhere awesome and climb a mountain or something.
I was having some quiet time yesterday and i realized just how much is going on right now! Truly. Big, life changing things are going down all around me. Friends are getting married, engaged, prego. Sister's having a baby. 21 unit SPring Semester and graduation looms. Summer weddings are creeping up... summer plans are forming. Job applications being sent out. Man... so much is going on!!
Today i mailed off my first job application. Yikes... talk about reality setting in! It's for the Dream Foundation... hoping that one day i could say i "Facilitate Dreams". How awesome would that be!! We'll see where that one takes me... possibly to Santa Barbara! That would be a nicer change in location!
But before that... im sort of planning my summer. So check it out... May 23rd i graduate. Yeah... i'm not going to get into that one. But then June 5th my friend is getting married. In Montana. So im headed out there for that! Which is SUPER exciting. So here's my somewhat plan... buy a jeep. Road-trip to Montana( hopefully with someone... no fun by myself). Celebrate and enjoy time with my sista. And then when she peaces out to enjoy honeymoon bliss... i'll head up to Banff. Rocky mountain/Canadian, single life bliss! : ) Stay there for a few days and then make my way back to california... to start prepin' for Sista Wedding Numero Dos. Where i'll start all over again... minus the road trip and Canadian Bliss.
Then... i guess if my jeep makes it... ill drive it somewhere awesome and climb a mountain or something.
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