miles to go

It has been quite the steady summer-but a colorful change comes as fall exhales its first breathe. I have made the transition from carefree to determined in a matter of miles. I left my dorm room to live in a not-so-well-insulated home built in the black & white era. I left the education I received, well, to return and find more people to educate. I left the money I didn't make to, well...give the money I do make to the powers that allow me to live comfortably. I left sleeping through classes to saying hi to the sun when he rises. And all is well.

I have learned some serious-somewhat painful- lessons about honesty. That there is often a disconnect in who we portray and what lies within our heart. These truths seem too painful to display- but too risky to hide. I found myself in some patterns of dishonesty, ignoring what needed to be opened in the name of protection. And it failed. Facing my demons was emotionally disturbing- but I had to do it. I had to face up. The funny thing is- I experienced a release, a freedom only found by shining a light. The darkness scattered and my heart is illuminated. Jesus' imagery about being a sword and a light meant to divide and scatter the things of evil. As His son, the light must shine in me at all times.

There is a change that happens when you leave a surrounding- a continuing system that holds your world and all of its contents. It causes you to start over and re-define who you're supposed to be. It causes you to do things you wouldn't have done in the other system. It causes you to stop, think and move forward in a new direction.

More as I keep changing...

learning something new everyday...

Thursday, May 22, 2008
Paris, France

The city of Paris has been a non-stop experience into some of the most beautiful historical churches and museums in the world. These places display the glory of God in ways that I have never seen. The feeling of walking into a church with almost 1,000 years of history is mind-blowing...the architecture, the murals, the chills that run through your bones as you smell of the ancient air. The reverberating sounds of ancient chants tingle the hairs on your skin. It is indescribable-so different from the quaint southern charm of hometown churches. I have seen the Mona Lisa and the palaces in Versailles. I have overlooked the city from the dome of the Sacre Cour Basillica and top of the Eiffel Tower. I have beheld the French countryside and the beaches of Normandy. These things have blown me away.

A trip as this one has the tendency to be discouraging. If conversations don't lead to something about Christ, it would be easy to discard them as pointless. What I've had to remind myself is that God is the Author of Salvation. No conversation I could muster- or building I could build- or small child I could hug could ever bring someone to the revelation of Christ. It is by His Spirit that people are drawn-not by conniving or wise words. I am so humbled and excited to be used. I will continue to be a tourist- experience this creation, breathe the air and feel these emotions. And Jesus will continue to work, whether I am here, there or back home. What a blessing to be a child of God and see grace- in all parts of the world.

my little box of Jesus

Saturday, May 17, 2008
Amsterdam, Holland

It has been cold and rainy these past two days. Gloom aside, plenty of interesting things have ensued, which have given way to expert wisdom:

-If you try to cross the street before a bicycle, train or car, they will hit you. Seriously.
-Dutch farmhouse cheese might be the best in the world, second only to the Italian truffle cheese. Please folks, let your cheese lie dormant for three years. It will do it and you a great flavor...(pun on favor, get it?)
-If you see a woman posing in a window, it’s probably not a mannequin. They require money.
-Don’t sleep with your windows open. You’ll hear too many things not conducive to sleeping.
-If you buy 5 packs of batteries to last the rest of your trip, make sure they say “alkaline”. If they don’t, they will not work in your digital camera. Not that I’m telling you from experience or anything.

Jokes aside, the trip thus far has been refreshing for me. Getting out of the South is good for anyone, proving that there is a world of people that don’t view life the same. It breaks the monotony and staleness that often accompanies good ole’ boy faith. It also reflects the beauty of our Creator in a unique way. It sometimes happens that mission trips become rallies for the American idea or an opportunity to see “how God has blessed America.” But I declare that God’s love and workmanship is displayed just as much across the world. We in America are not the key holders to the doors of His blessings. Though we may value size and materials more so than other parts of the world, it doesn’t equate into God’s favor. Even our ideas, doctrines and theologies don’t convey the fullest expression of The Sovereign God. His grace extends to the poorest, coolest, hippest and ugly parts of this world- unconditionally. His power strengthens the weakest and most feeble of his children. His peace comforts the most confused and painful of hearts.

I’m glad that I can see Christ somewhere else- even if there isn’t a church on every corner.

well hello there

I'm back from Europe and all is well- life sets in.

I'll be periodically posting blogs from my trip on this page so look for them! :)

If you're the of visual kind- I also have a new little site for my photo-taking skills.

Look at Me!

Enjoy!

exitlude...

Life happens so fast.

When you least expect it, it has grazed the your cheek and left its blessing. The four years of college I looked forward to with eager anticipation are complete. The friends I've made, the lessons I've learned and the love I have found seem to be a blur...like it was never supposed to take place so quickly. I'll be moving on to a new chapter soon. Adulthood- synonymous with responsibility, maturity and direction. Scary for the little boy trapped inside this near twenty-two year old frame. All the joys of pointless late nights and horrible eating habits must be left behind (or at least reduced, thanks body) I am now beginning to see life differently. Once again the world is opening...

May I breathe in life as fresh air and love without abandon.

stop and breathe

The beauty of simplicity is scattered throughout the day. It is crafted by our Creator. They are obvious interventions in a complicated world, each special in communicating its message. The reflections of peace and stability we never question, as if the sun would never cease to rise, the breeze will always blow and the clouds will forever weave themselves a tapestry in the sky. These seem programmed into our day, clinging to our anchors of time, money and space. Yet these regretfully normal occurrences are birthed and sustained by a powerful One who seeks not to satisfy with wealth and power but an all-encompassing grandeur of His own glory. It is why this sun warms our bodies and alters tiny pigments in our skin. It is why this breeze kisses our cheeks ever so gently and we rest in its embrace. It is why these clouds are the scribbles of a mighty Hand, framed by an atmosphere outside of our comprehension.

This beauty earns us no money, but fills our hearts with the splendor and freedom of our Maker.

her royalty...

Grace is queen.

Why the difficulty? Why the resistance? Why the avoidance? A religiously spoken word has never been more silent in the poetry of our day. Something so beautiful and magnificent seems a fairy tale in a culture of pain and bitterness. Tapestries of defense are woven everyday over broken relationships, torn marriages and interpersonal conflict. But She is quiet. Not because She chooses to be, but her people have chosen to give her no power over the selfish ambition of their hatred. They lead lives of anger and distrust, roaming about the world with no connection outside of their pain. They are lonely. They are miserable. They are chained.

Nothing quenches love quite like the absence of grace. We are a people hurt and lonely because of our rejection. We choose bitterness over contentment, war over peace and hate over love. This grace we claim from Christ himself is not lavished upon others. Do we have a hard time accepting his grace? I guess claiming it subscribes us to the Christian system, but does not sustain us through our pain. If we truly accept grace, it changes us. We can no longer feel sorry for ourselves, cast a judgement on another, or even hold onto the mistakes of the past. And our response to this grace is its constant outpouring to others.

Forgiveness is her sister.

"Forgive and forget" might win as the worst statement of the century. Anyone who has been hurt knows that the pain of the past is not easily forgettable. But the source of our pain must be forgiven. Not only is it commanded by Christ, but our well-being hinges on our ability to forgive. When we choose forgiveness, we release our grip on the chains of bitterness. When we choose forgiveness, we release our transgressor's right to control our joy. When we choose forgiveness, we release Satan's right to have power in our lives. When we choose forgiveness, we experience freedom. The freedom Jesus talks about. Not a freedom from future pain, but a release from our past, our mistakes and our fears. We can then walk with our heads held high. We are then able to accept and give grace freely. And until then- we will never experience true joy and happiness.

Accept grace.
Forgive your past and others.
Experience freedom.