I Can't Relate

I am a pretty slow reader, I tend to take my time through pages (even if the book or article is particularly fantastic). Presently, I am still reading Hind's Feet in High Places and I am really enjoying it. On the spiritual level of life, I think it is very well-written because it can apply to so many different people's situations.

I was once talking to a friend of mine who was going through some struggles and who got upset with me for saying, "I can relate..." when she insisted that I couldn't fully. Thankfully she's a dear enough friend that we overcame that, but recently we did agree on this:
Every person's life and situation is different, such that nobody else on earth can truly, fully relate to it. We can be sympathetic, but not truly empathetic of anybody's whole life situation. BUT (and that's a big but! ), Jesus Christ can fully relate. In taking on human flesh and taking our sin, He can relate (and more) to every situation we go through. What's more, it's important to recognize that the situations we "go through" are not arbitrary nor by chance, they are gifts from God. I think life situations are constant opportunities to both grow closer to and give glory to God, and they are provided by Him in His sovereignty - so God provides situations that will grow every single part of us closer to Him.

I'm pretty sure this is true because I can take whatever situation I am given - whether I deem it good, bad, or neither - and glorify God with it. That is a big deal! The problem is, I mostly just go through my days "getting through the day" until I can relax at the end when I could be determinedly glorifying Him throughout EVERYTHING I do all day and then relax in His presence later. It's clear to see which one is easier, which is unfortunately but honestly the one I end up choosing more than not. I have hope that the Lord will change that in me as I set my heart on Him more decisively each day - I want to change for God's glory!

I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing

Whew.

Although I have to admit I'm a bit concerned still, after reading that "some analysts said the Pentagon had reasons other than safety for bringing down the satellite."

What?!

Red, Passionate Love

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things... So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

-I Corinthians 13:4-7, 13-

On the way to work today, I started seeing red. Allow me to clarify: I was sulking, thinking about my own situation, how my Valentine is so very far away right now, discontent as could be. I know, I know - poor me. 

Suddenly some red lights caught my eye - lights atop four broadcasting towers - and my Love invaded my sad little heart with a message:

I love you so much that I bled for you, that I gave and gave and gave until the only thing left to give was my life over to death. But because of the purity of my love, death couldn't keep me. Every time you see red today, think of Me. Think of my passionate, enduring love for you, and know that you are My Beloved.

Thus, on behalf of the Lover of your soul, I urge you to have a Happy Valentine's Day, because the Almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob loves you. And we love because He first loved us - 

passionately.

Misery Loves Company

Think you got it bad?

I do. All the time. I can grow discontent with my cereal before I finish it.

Attitude is everything, except in the case of miserable places. We really can't change miserable places on our own - that might be a fantastic lie, actually. While it's true that God can use anybody to do anything, He doesn't force us. He does, however, force His hand by allowing our situations to stress and strain us, to squeeze us until we insist that we cannot be squeezed anymore. And then sometimes He squeezes further.

We can't change the fact that we live in a sinful world and that we need a little wringing-out from time to time. We can't change the fact that the only way to be purified and made into a new creature is to endure pain. In fact, the only thing we can change is to allow it in us; in order to allow true change in us, our attitude must be like that of Christ Jesus. He not only went to the cross (enduring the pain, suffering, and agony that we know bits & pieces of), but He did so willingly, obediently, and lovingly. If we want to become more like Christ, if we wish to relate more to our Heavenly Father, we must allow the Holy Spirit to move us into, through, and out of times of suffering and places of misery.

"It's Friday, but Sunday's coming..."

When Will I Ever Learn

The sun was setting over Avalon
The last time we stood in the west
Suffering long time angels enraptured by Blake
Burn out the dross innocence captured again

Standing on the beach at sunset all the boats
All the boats keep moving slow
In the glory of the flashing light in the evenings glow

When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?

You brought it to my attention everything that was made in God
Down through centuries of great writings and paintings
Everything lives in God
Seen through architecture of great cathedrals
Down through the history of time
Is and was in the beginning and evermore shall be

When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?

Whatever it takes to fulfill his mission
That is the way we must go
But you've got to do it your own way
Tear down the old, bring up the new
And up on the hillside its quiet
Where the shepherd is tending his sheep
And over the mountains and the valleys
The countryside is so green
Standing on the highest hill with a sense of wonder
You can see everything is made in God
Head back down the roadside and give thanks for it all

When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?

Song: When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God
Artist: Van Morrison

Happy Birthday Alison!

Today is Alison's birthday and I just want to honor her for being such a good sister to me & Jake, daughter to our parents, and friend to all of us. I was brainstorming for what I would write that was publishable... and I got so sidetracked and tickled by some of our memories that I think I'll just list them out and let those who were actually there for each "episode" of Alison's life to enjoy reminiscing privately.

• Poodies, Doops, Big Kahuna, Ali Baba, Ral, Ralson, Ralseen, Chooch.
• Easter egg hunts, "Meet-sie Potts," Reading books, Aladdin tent, Ears plugged, 1/2-moon, Dirty looks at smokers in downtown Chicago, "Shhhhhhh, " Sleeping in my room Christmas Eve, Waking up at 4:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, Maggie the turtle, "I don't even know what that means."
• "Crushes" on: Jesse, Jake, Me (?!), Tanner, every boy, Tanner again.
• Big Tex, Wal-mart, Dairy Queen, Face Lotion on the plane, "It's the culture," PHS vs. SHS volleyball, The Great Black Friday Cheese Incident, "Sisters, sisters - there were never such devoted sisters" (as performed by Ali and our cousin!), Random screaming or laughing, BB slippage (in more ways than one), "Can you not use up all the hot water?", Slaps on the face, The Grits, "Nake!", Cheetah EVERYTHING, When You Think Tim McGraw, "I fell on my butt," All things that are good.

For my little sister, who has grown into my fashion consultant, my psycho-analyst, my laughing buddy, my understanding ear, my vacation buddy, my volleyball comrade, & my friend - I love you now and forever. You're a beautiful woman with an invaluable amount of strength, life, vibrance, hope and joy to offer everyone. It's my prayer that you will continue to turn that all over to Jesus, who knows all of you & loves every bit of His creation. Happy Birthday!