they say you can't go home again

but I can and will

in peace and trust.

the dark continent

I read this on a friend's website. It's a good picture of the reality of being an M in Africa, so I thought I'd share:

My friend posed a question the other day, what if Paul had decided to go south instead of to the Pagan of Europe? (citation: J. 2008) What would this world be like? Would I be living in N.Africa bringing Truth to these people, or would these people be bringing Truth to me- perhaps still in Europe because the Puritans would not have crossed the Atlantic for religious freedom. What would the world be like?

What if people had listened to the eunuch who met Philip? Perhaps many did listen to him, but what happened along the way?

Who watched as this land was overtaken by darkness? Did they mourn? Did they fight the good fight? What were they like? And who is watching now as the Darkness occupies soil that doesn't belong to it?

I don't know, but I know that He is still sitting on the throne, and He still knows what is going on. And for some reason, He has chosen the NOW to send me here, and several others like me- we are in the darkness- with the Lamp that lights our feet, not knowing where we are going, and not knowing to what end we will meet. We are like fireflies on a hot summer night- lighting when we can, drawing attention to the beams of glory in the midst of the darkest night- hoping to remind this land that it once was day and reminding it of what Light is to come.- but the real light doesn't come til morning when the sun peaks over the horizon and spreads its warm rays over the ground awakening all creation. And we, the fireflies of the night- will relish in the Bright and morning sun as we rest, knowing that for some time we provided just a small glimmer of hope to those in the darkness. Oh, but when that glorious hope breaks forth in the morning- how spectacular that will be! And perhaps those, who caught a glimmer of the hope that was to come, with their eyes open and bondage to night released, will join in the rejoicing of the One True King!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. . .

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

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.