A "Leaf" Observed (Forgive me, Clive...)

Can I just talk a minute about how COOL the Lord is?! I was so blessed tonight to be able to spend some quality time with my lil' bro (my only brother), Eric - in town to experience the wonderment that IS David Crowder in concert. He said that, not only was the worship incredible, BUT ALSO that he got to partake of communion with - like - 9,000 other bros and sisses in Christ. I don't know about y'all...but that ROX!

In other news, the Lord (as if this should come as a surprise to ANY of us) has been particularly active within the past two weeks: daring people outside their comfort zones, unveiling HUGE surprises people had NO idea were being cooked-up, and cultivating His church for the work She has yet to complete (can you tell I've been having my devotionals in Ephesians?). It seems, lately, as if the changing seasons of our lives happily compliment the changing season of our handsome Louisville surroundings. Change has always proved an interesting life-mate: best friends with some, mortal enemies with others...eh?

Hm. Perhaps this goes to - once again - point the finger of glory and thanksgiving to God the Father: that amidst all the rambunctiousness of our daily experiences and soap operatic occurrences, it is in HIS constant arms of steadfast love ("hessed" - for all you Hebrew lovers out there...) and amazing supremity that we are able to exhale with total confidence that HE IS IN CONTROL. Translation: we have been given total freedom to FORGET ourselves and the self-centeredness that is SUCH the temptation in times like these, and REMEMBER whom we serve, where we're going, and why we started running in the first place. In the words of one of my most beloved (and recent) worhsip songs:

You are God alone
from before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone
and right now
in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That's what You are

Can I GET a witness? Keeping at the forefront of our consciousness our place in His story (the only true HIStory), may we always be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. So...what's your story of His glory?

Ahhh...Blogging By Moonlight

Hey! Did anybody see that INCREDIBLE moon tonight? I was walking out of SNT, caught glimpse of this GINORMOUS glowing orb rising in the eastern sky, sprouted fur and a tail, and scampered off to go terrorize the local Wal-Mart. (It's the simple things...).

So now we're blogging by the light of a FULL moon. YEAH, baby...

Thank you, Donna, for the "wet-willy and run."

Sleep with one eye open, kiddo.

Good-night, peeps!

Three's Company...Sort Of

For those of you acquainted with the intimate details of my fast-paced life, just a mere few months ago, I (accompanied by two other willing participants) journeyed off campus and re-located into a handsome, yet comfortable, apartment complex just fifteen minutes north of SBTS. The fact that we even FOUND this place was undoubtedly ordained by God (Donna, first of all, COMPLETELY got her orignial directions wrong; got all turned around in Sellersburg, IN; and that was when - lo and behold - she mosied past Lakeview Apts, our new neighborhood). As the days and weeks have past, we have contented ourselves with transforming this ample empty space into a cherished sanctuary of solitude and serenity. Not bad...if we do say so ourselves. :) Welcome to our humble abode:



Granted, we're never quite "done" with our little "touches" (as you can see, the place is "lived in" already); but even more than any decorating endeavors we've embarked upon thus far, all of us were incredibly impressed by the countless lessons, illuminations, and (gasp) relational obstacles (there - I SAID IT!) we've already encountered. When first considering rooming together, there was a definite attitude of anticipation as we wondered how the Lord would work amongst the three of us to peel away the invisible (yet plentiful) layers of selfishness and pride, in order to expose our tender underbellies to REAL humility and TRUE Self-abandonment. I mean - let's face it: cramming three independenct adult women into a limited space for an extended period of time smells of a DEFINITE opportunity for holiness and sanctification, if you ask me. Community breeds challenges - and challenges (when handled on your knees, and with the Bible in both hands) initiate a wealth of opporutnity for growth in our "vertical" relationship with God, which naturally filters into our "horizontal" relationships with our "apartment family."



I can honestly confess: sharing this apartment with these two amazing women of God has hurled me into a whole new level of intimacy and accountability. We have seen each other at our worst: morning breath, sick days, and so much more... The little quirks and truths that we often get away with hiding in the dorms have come spilling out all over the bathroom floor (OK, this is just a metaphor for those wondering), but the coolest part is:

it makes no difference...the love just keeps on growing. :)

The lines of friendship have blurred and blended with those of family, and the thought of coming home at the end of a long day is like soaking in a hot bath after a day-long triathalon: absolute healing. Oh, don't get me wrong: we experience our fair share of unrinsed-dishes-in-the-sink, sleep-talking roomies, and eating-straight-out-of-the-ice-cream- box-instead-of-dishing-it-into-a-bowl just like everyone else (all random pet-peeves)...



...but the joy of knowing that you are a beloved member of God's eternal Family; the comfort of experiencing God's grace and constancy from other human beings; and the knowledge that it's all happening because of His perfect will and refinement in your life changes the age-old addage:

Three's not a crowd. Three's company. :)

And so, in conclusion, my thoughts are these: Could this be a glimpse of what it might be like to be married? If so, what lessons are we learning that might aid us if the Lord leads us into a committed relationship? And when that happens...

What do I do if he talks in his sleep?

Life Outside the Bubble

Well, I can barely believe it... ANOTHER weekend - come and gone. It seems as if the weekends anymore consist of an entire week of activity crammed into two crazy days (or should we say crazy "daze"). Ah, well... No regrets: after all, where would life's sweet and tangy flavor be without the seasoning of activity and interest to make it memorable?

Speaking of food... My three roommates and I were blessed with a special treat this evening: the delectable, national dish of none other than the faraway Mideast - JORDAN. Yes, ladies and gentleman, thanks to the delightful Joey Eaton and Mike Ward, we have received our first introduction to "mensaf" (sp?). As if the tasty chicken atop rice mixed with yogurt wasn't enough to raise your eyebrows, our entire dinner party feasted "Moroccan style" - right hands ONLY - absolutely no knives, forks, or spoons. (Thanks so much, guys, for taking the time to share a bit of your summer with the rest of us. PRAISE THE LORD for the work He accomplished thru you during your trip).

Tonight, I am thankful for the gorgeous picture of a quiet sunset over the Dead Sea (you rock, Joey!) resting comfortably next to my desk. I wonder if this might be a similar scene to one that Christ Himself might have beheld back when He paced this same earth. And suddenly, I am conscious of numerous humbling realizations:

I have never set foot off American soil. Much of my knowledge of the spiritual condition of foreign lands comes from the lips of friends and family who dare to venture forth in the name of God to spread the Truth of what we as US citizens so easily take for granted, yet so many live in utter ignorance - and NOT by choice. We read magazine clippings and news articles of North Koreans inhumanely tortured for defying their "leaders" by reading a Bible; Sudanese refugees forced to run from family and friends because they've recognized the Reality of the Gospel; Chinese citizens healing from bashed-in faces because they gathered to sing a hymn of thanks to the God who made them; and the list never ends. Are we TRULY conscious - whether passionate evangelist or budding believer - of the expansive "comfort bubble" we craft for ourselves from our lifestyle and perspectives as individuals?

I know I'm not. I can sit here, and I can write all of this "head knowledge" with a quick tap of the keyboard, and swift click of a mouse... But what bothers me the most is knowing that, deep down inside, I don't REALLY get it. I honestly have no idea of the life that other's might know. And it doesn't have to be an untouched people group around the globe... It could be that single mother I work with from 5pm til close every Friday night; or maybe the housekeeper who cleans my bathroom on the second floor; and then there's the coffee barister I should know by name by now...

God reminds us every day: there IS life outside our bubbles. Whether we choose to follow Him outside these transparent comfort zones...THAT remains a choice we must each commit to make. Christ set for us the ultimate example of what it is to live and function as a relational being: Father-focused, selfless, and constantly sharing in the victories and trials of others. Whether that indicates the suffering and lonely woman oceans afar, or the needful neighbor adrift down in Louisiana: we ARE to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2).

I pray for the opportunity to, one day (soon - I hope), travel overseas, and participate in the work the Lord orchestrates around the world. These "barriers of ignorance" that have grown increasingly apparent in my life this past year are wobbling as we speak. God, in His loving kindness, loves us all too much to leave us as we are; and as He continues to expand our horizons, forcing all His children to "toe-the-line," may we consider it pure joy when He "bursts our bubble."

FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING...

Props to my fabulous roommate, DonnaWonna, for finally convincing me to sign up for a blog. Thinking out loud has always been a favorite (and frequent) past time, and it's nice to know that my randomness may now be recorded for posterity. (YES!)

Being as the hour is late, my belly full, and worship in the AM, may this entry be short and sweet:

My prayer is that (as in all things) this humble beginning may mature into that which brings the Lord glory, honor, and praise, as He never ceases to bless us with grace, joy, and hope. Your thoughts and insights on all things are welcomed (invited, even...), and I bid you to feel free to challenge me and each other ("as iron sharpens iron"), as well as share your personal testimonies of Christ's activity in your life (past, present, AND future).

And for any who might be wondering:

No.

I will not be posting the cafeteria cuisine for the week. That would ruin the surprise of finding out we're having chicken...again.

"How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people." ~ Psalm 116:12-14 ~