today is Easter sunday. it's not a surprise to me and may not be a surprise to you either. but i think of all those who don't know what this day really, truly stands for. i think of those who are caught up in the cadbury eggs and jelly beans. those who look to the easter bunny for colored eggs and fun toys symbolizing spring is here.
i look at how big the world is and wonder how can this be.
i see posts on facebook today declaring that 'He is risen!' and this will be seen by believers and nonbelievers. a few might respond by saying 'He is risen, indeed!' some will go about their day without really acknowledging it. others may will see it, know it's something, but not ask what it's really about.
and that makes me sad.
because i know that the tomb was empty.
and i want others to know that too.
04 April 2010
02 April 2010
garbage
a friend recently shared the following story with me...
...during my run, a man in a beat up van was driving slowly through the neighborhood. i was slightly scared at first, but kept running towards him. i saw that he got out of the van, walked to the garbage can, and took out a rug that had been thrown in the trash. he then proceeded to next can to find more 'treasure'...
and as i reflect on this story, i wonder if i would intently look for my 'treasure' that way. would i want to dig through other people's garbage to find that one special thing? and then i wonder if i can look at others in that same way, past their flaws and see them as a treasure.
you see, God does that.
He's looking for us, amid all the garbage and turmoil that we may have weighing us down. He doesn't care how much toxic waste, trash, or bad choices are in our lives or in the way. He will dig through all of that just to claim us. He is able to see through all that down to the core of who we really are...
because we are His treasure
...during my run, a man in a beat up van was driving slowly through the neighborhood. i was slightly scared at first, but kept running towards him. i saw that he got out of the van, walked to the garbage can, and took out a rug that had been thrown in the trash. he then proceeded to next can to find more 'treasure'...
and as i reflect on this story, i wonder if i would intently look for my 'treasure' that way. would i want to dig through other people's garbage to find that one special thing? and then i wonder if i can look at others in that same way, past their flaws and see them as a treasure.
you see, God does that.
He's looking for us, amid all the garbage and turmoil that we may have weighing us down. He doesn't care how much toxic waste, trash, or bad choices are in our lives or in the way. He will dig through all of that just to claim us. He is able to see through all that down to the core of who we really are...
because we are His treasure
01 April 2010
31 March 2010
loose to gain
sometimes we have to loose a little, so we can gain so much more.
and i think of what i can loose in order to gain. this goes beyond the physicality of weight and such. because if i start to let go of things and move beyond things of the world, i begin to wonder what i can truly gain.
and the blessing is this is God will reveal it little by little. i know this because i have witnessed this within my own life as i start to let things go. prior to doing that, i was fearful of the change and what would/could happen. i would psych myself out of it, before anything had happened. luckily, God blesses me and shows me what i can gain from it all.
and if i let Him in a little at a time, it's not so scary.
i just need to remember that and keep my life focused on Him
and i think of what i can loose in order to gain. this goes beyond the physicality of weight and such. because if i start to let go of things and move beyond things of the world, i begin to wonder what i can truly gain.
and the blessing is this is God will reveal it little by little. i know this because i have witnessed this within my own life as i start to let things go. prior to doing that, i was fearful of the change and what would/could happen. i would psych myself out of it, before anything had happened. luckily, God blesses me and shows me what i can gain from it all.
and if i let Him in a little at a time, it's not so scary.
i just need to remember that and keep my life focused on Him
29 March 2010
philippians 1:19
"for i know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance" (philippians 1:19)
i take comfort in those words recently; yet, struggle at the same time with them. i know, it sounds like an oxymoron, but i just wonder how certain life events can work out for someone's deliverance. because when it comes down to it, i feel (as rob bell would say) as though i'm just have a 'habakkuk day/season/year'. i don't say that to receive pity, but to acknowledge that life is hard. and when life is hard, i begin to wonder how it all can work out for my deliverance.
i guess it's during those difficult time that my faith is increased, along with hope and trust in God. that's when i feel comfort from those words. and it's not that i even have that verse entirely memorized either. all i have to do i think philippians 1:19 and the basic message comes across to me. i need to embrace that and not doubt.
because when i doubt, i'm doubting God's power in all of this.
i take comfort in those words recently; yet, struggle at the same time with them. i know, it sounds like an oxymoron, but i just wonder how certain life events can work out for someone's deliverance. because when it comes down to it, i feel (as rob bell would say) as though i'm just have a 'habakkuk day/season/year'. i don't say that to receive pity, but to acknowledge that life is hard. and when life is hard, i begin to wonder how it all can work out for my deliverance.
i guess it's during those difficult time that my faith is increased, along with hope and trust in God. that's when i feel comfort from those words. and it's not that i even have that verse entirely memorized either. all i have to do i think philippians 1:19 and the basic message comes across to me. i need to embrace that and not doubt.
because when i doubt, i'm doubting God's power in all of this.
25 March 2010
the prodigal son
i'm going to be very honest right now, i don't like the parable of the prodigal son (luke 15:11-32). i truly don't. i have come to the conclusion it is because it's the parable i most need to connect with. my avoidance is really blocking me from seeking the message within it.
you see, i don't like the way either of the sons acts. the younger one is too careless and too carefree. he's goes out and does what he wants, and when he fails he comes home. this aggravates me. then the older son whines and constantly seeks validation. he likes the rules and wants them to be kept. and if that's not enough, then there's the father...the loving, merciful father. who seems to love both of his sons, unconditionally. and i wonder, how does he love like that? and if it can't get any better, the father goes on to forgive his son. what?!? the son that wanted his money and left him, he goes and offers forgiveness to.
do you see my frustration with this story?!?
it's just not fair.
it's just not fair.
it's just not fair.
and when i say that, i'm missing the point of it.
the father loves and forgives because Our Father loves and forgives
you see, i don't like the way either of the sons acts. the younger one is too careless and too carefree. he's goes out and does what he wants, and when he fails he comes home. this aggravates me. then the older son whines and constantly seeks validation. he likes the rules and wants them to be kept. and if that's not enough, then there's the father...the loving, merciful father. who seems to love both of his sons, unconditionally. and i wonder, how does he love like that? and if it can't get any better, the father goes on to forgive his son. what?!? the son that wanted his money and left him, he goes and offers forgiveness to.
do you see my frustration with this story?!?
it's just not fair.
it's just not fair.
it's just not fair.
and when i say that, i'm missing the point of it.
the father loves and forgives because Our Father loves and forgives
23 March 2010
'open skies' by david crowder band
"...from wherever you are
wherever you've been
He's been there..."
i think sometimes i take this for granted, and sometimes i choose not to acknowledge it. and the truth is, i need to be mindful of it and realize that God will meet me wherever i am at.
i just need to be willing to meet Him
wherever you've been
He's been there..."
i think sometimes i take this for granted, and sometimes i choose not to acknowledge it. and the truth is, i need to be mindful of it and realize that God will meet me wherever i am at.
i just need to be willing to meet Him
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