My first article was published!!!!
Jesus Wept October 8, 2009
We are fragile. Life is fragile
I am reminded of this whenever there is a passing away of life.
But if there’s anything I’ve learned, I’ve learned that whatever we feel in that moment…the sinking feeling in our heart, numbness, denial, anger, shock…it’s okay. Or even if you don’t feel anything at all. It’s okay. It’s okay to not have answers, or explanations, or even words.
“Jesus wept.” -John 11:35
There is so much in those two words.
I’m learning that I can’t avoid my response to things and think that they’ll just go away. If I stuff things deep down inside of me, it’s in there somewhere…and it’ll come out. It may even be things from years ago…if I didn’t properly grieve, then it’s in there somewhere.
If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to let it out. To weep. Then we do too.
I hope that we…that I, can come to realize that Jesus wept. That whatever I am feeling is okay. That I may choose to be open and not bury it deep inside of me. That I may realize that God is with us, that He is grieving our loss, but also restoring. In that, we can find hope.
Hot Air Balloon October 7, 2009
“I’ll be out of my mind and you’ll be out of ideas pretty soon, so lets spend the afternoon in a cold hot air balloon. Leave your jacket behind. Lean out and touch the treetops over town. I can’t wait to kiss the ground wherever we touch back down” ♥
I Cannot Make My Own Heart Beat October 1, 2009
October 1st, 51 degrees, sweater, mocha cappachino, pure vanilla soy candle, and a runny nose.
Although I appear and talk about living a quite, balanced, peacful life…deep down inside I’m so high stressed, unbalanced, and anxious.
I don’t like it and my response to it is to go take a nap.
It’s such a paradox that we have to fight for peace.
This past week, stress just built up so high…that I just had to cry for a few days. It made me feel better.
Peace: freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility. Mental calm; serenity.
There cannot be peace in the world (The places around us, where we go, live, work), until there is peace in the soul.
Peace is not just going to come find me, it’s something I need to fight for.
Endurance, we need…I need endurance to make it through each day. And perspective that each season in our lives is growing us and is taking place for a reason. How awful is it that people live for their weekends?
And somehow throughout all of this, I just forget. I forget that my heart does not beat on it’s own. I forget that shalom, the greatest peace…that is fulfilling comes from the Lord. I forget that He is my strength. I forget that my best and true self is found in Him.
So through tears as I write this. I must say that I have neglected my source of life…because I have forgotten. No wonder why Jesus said, “Remember me”
How pivotal is it for us to remember. To remind ourselves of His peace, joy, love….to remind ourselves why our hearts beat. It’s not us, it’s Him.
Travels and Stats September 29, 2009
I must say! I was super surprised when I looked at my blog stats to see that there are quite a few people who ACTUALLY read my blog! Haha!
Anyway, two years ago to the day I touched down in Northern Ireland for a six month adventure across the world. Sheesh! And what an adventure it was!
I would like to go to Nova Scotia.
The End.
Live in tune with the Song September 28, 2009
“The song is playing all around us all the time, the song is playing everywhere,
it’s written on our hearts, and everybody is playing the song.
See, the question isn’t whether or not you’re playing a song,
the question is, ‘Are you in tune? What does it mean for you to be in or out of tune with the song?
There are people who talk as if they know everything about being a Christian and yet
they can seem way out of tune. And then there are others who would say they don’t
know much at all about the Christian faith, and yet they can seem very in tune
with the song. Can you believe in God and be out of tune with the song?
Does it work the other way around?
Maybe you have this sense like you have no sort of relationship with God
because of all these things, these ideas you have about what that means,
all these things that you’ve been told about what it is or what it isn’t.
And an infinite, massive, kind of invisible God, that’s hard to get our minds around,
but truth, love, grace, mercy, justice, compassion – the way that Jesus lived,
I can see that.
I can understand that.
I can relate to that.
I can play that song. Do you believe that if you live the way Jesus taught us to live, being in tune with the song,
that you “will have life in its fullest”?
May you come to see that the song is written on your heart.
And as you live in tune with the song,
in tune with the creator of the universe,
may you realize that you ARE in relationship with the living God.”
-Rob Bell “Rhythm” NOOMA 011
Clouds and Creeds July 29, 2009
If I could see Your face
I think You’d smile at me
You’ve got that kind of face
That defies gravity
You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
One time I saw the sun
Setting upon the sea
As fast as it was gone
It came right back to me
You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
Sometimes You’re in the clouds
Sometimes You’re in the creed
Sometimes You’re in the stars
Sometimes You’re next to me
But You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
Sometimes we follow crowds
Sometimes we just believe
Sometimes we think we’re smart
Sometimes we think we’re free
But You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
You’re too much
You’re too much….for me
-Jason Upton
Rain, Rain, Summer Rain. July 27, 2009
Raindrops keep fallin’ on my head.
But that doesn’t mean my eyes will soon be turnin’ red.
Cryin’s not for me,
‘Cause I’m never gonna stop the rain by complainin’
Because I’m free
Nothin’s worryin’ me.
