a reflection of something we're missing.

do you ever have a moment where your eyes are somehow able to break through the natural and seem to peer into the supernatural for a moment?

you look at someone who doesn't know Jesus, but their life, their words, the places they find sadness or even happiness, reflect the fact that they see and experience every need for a Savior yet deny the One Who Saves?

i was listening to this song by Bright Eyes on my way to work this morning and it made me think of that, of them. this is how it goes:

now I know a disease that these doctors can't treat
you contract on the day, you accept all you see is a mirror
and a mirror is all it can be,
a reflection of something we're missing.
and language just happened,
it was never planned,
and it's inadequate to describe where I am,
in the room of my house where the light's never been,
waiting for this day to end.

it breaks my heart. the lyricist is feeling every need for a Savior, for a Comforter, for a Lover - and its real enough to him to put on a cd and send out all over the world. its funny that non"Christian" music can stir our hearts for the Lord. funny that a tv show, a movie, a book can get our souls, our minds, our hearts going in directions that Jesus longs to take them.

look for ways to cling to Jesus. seek out the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that immerse you in a sense of His kindness and love and chase them. then you will be able to love your neighbor as yourself, as you are loving the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. then you will be able to show those wandering in darkness the beautiful light that can fulfill the "reflection of something we're missing."

the songwriter is right, our disease is one that our earthly doctors can't treat - but our Great Physician can. language is inadequate to describe where we are, but the Holy Spirit can intercede for us with groanings too deep for words. without hope, it is our inclination to just wait for the days to end, but Jesus brings life to the full.

lets go.

making sense of the world.

sometimes pictures weave a better story than words.

#44

happy inauguration day!

no matter how you voted or feel, let's be excited - this is a joyous, much belated day for America and, well, your kids will study this in history class!

feeling patriotic?

oh, and have a laugh.

my, my.

its been quite some time.

i started my new job recently - learning it and loving it so far.

over the break, jared and i went skiing with my family and our best family friends - the kiltz. well, to be completely accurate, we went snowboarding. yes, snowboarding! my very first time on a wintery mountain and i chose to navigate down it strapped into something resembling a surfboard. there were a few tragic falls and frustrating moments, but overall it was literally one of the most fun things i have ever done - and i have to be honest, i felt quite good that i could (somewhat) do it. i've always written myself off as never having an athletic bone in my body - but it looks like i may have found one or two! such fun.

vacations are really important, you know. remember that as we all start dancing toward building our families, our ministries, our jobs. vacations aren't lazy - they're wise, beautiful, sometimes even daring. though, when a vacation starts to feel daring, be careful. often times we think we're a tad more crucial to a situation than we are. the world will not crumble if you take a few days off - i strongly encourage you to try it, especially my out of college friends. breathe in, breathe out, and have the time to realize you just took a breath.

for my married friends.

dear couples, for the most part,

recently i listened to "the peasant princess" series, an in depth study of the song of solomon, by mark driscoll from mars hill bible church in seattle. it was excellent in so many senses of the word - good Bible exposition and incredibly practical, convicting, accessible application. i encourage you and your hubby to give it a listen, you can find it on itunes under "Mars Hill Church: Mark Driscoll Audio." i will say it gets a little...intense...at times, which is the only reason i specifically mentioned my married friends, obviously singles were sitting in church when Mark preached these sermons and can learn a great amount from them, it may just tend toward being more frustrating than helpful at times. use your judgment :).

anyhow, also, one of the sermons in the series is called "the little foxes," referring to the process of eliminating sin and temptation from your marriage. you, yes you, can play "whac-a-fox" and get those mean little foxes right out of your garden. hilarious.

this is my last day at the basket shop before i start my new position - strange. i'm excited to move on but its a little sad to leave. change always creates a lot of feelings, ya know? well, here i go!

disclaimer: mark may say things you don't line up with 100% whether in opinions about theology, sex, or family. i encourage you to keep listening and understand the heart of the message.