Notes

I didn't want to go to church today, and for that, I knew I had to go. I knew it would be something I needed to hear.

The pastor started by talking about seeing the lions at the zoo. They're usually just lying around sleeping or staring sleepily at their fences. He talked about watching lions on the National Geographic channel, and how those lions are running and chasing and living. Now, I know that lions in the wild do sleep most of the day, but they are fully wild lions, and they truly live. 

Christians in America look like animals in a zoo. Our Christianity is like a snuggie. It is sanitized. 

What would the church look like if we were untamed, living what we were created to do? Crazy, radical.

This is the life I want. A radical life that will not let me be comfortable, that is not safe, that is filled with a great joy. 

a call to suffer, a call to be free, a call to be crazy. 

I've been thinking about this so much lately. I want this. But how to get there... I need a dramatic change in my life. I need to give G hours and hours of my time. 

Walking to church, it was grey, blustery, and beautiful. There were crows singing. 

And then after church, E and I sat on top of a man made hill and stared at the sky and noticed that this was life. 

(I don't know why there is a white background to the words. :( )

offered

I am offered this:

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
in the shadow of your wings.
You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your river of delights.
For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see.
(psalm 36:5-9)

and instead, I take this:

Watch this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igCj3jsbcqs

Janette...ikz

{a great poem about being single}

Five Minute Friday! Unexpected

Woohoo! I'm not going to miss this friday! So here's what we do. We write for five minutes flat, no editing, just whatever comes to mind. The word to begin with today is unexpected.


go!

We are told to come expecting. But sometimes, He hits me with marvelous, unexpected things.

It's not about the feelings. But sometimes, He fills me with delightful joy and wonder.

Like yesterday. It flurried. Snow is my absolute favorite. I love everything about it- the quiet around it as it falls, the way it looks, the way it tastes, smells, feels. I love it. So I was walking in the snow to class, with Zoe Keating cello music in my ears, and the first thing that came to mind was, "Jesus is serenading me with snowflakes!" and all of a sudden I was giddy, like a little girl, and so totally in love. I skipped a bit. I held out my hands to the sky and felt the tiny prick of ice.
It was delightful. That's not even the word for it. Because in that moment, I was completely at peace.

This is all I want.

and from one unexpected gift of snow in November, one unexpected burst of giddiness, I was reminded that I have all I want. (Or will, when I give Him the time it takes to build this.)

this is all i want!

12 seconds left, but I'm done.
stop. timed to Zoe Keating's "Optimist."

I need to sleep

Today was so beautiful. I need to tell, to write it down.

Pandora Radio introduced me to Zoe Keating, an amazing cellist.

I found out my school is offering SWAHILI next semester. totally taking it!

morning emails from my family

there was wind, sunshine, SNOW, cold, stars and the MOON, gorgeous weather all day!

saw the falcon or hawk, whatever it is :)

seeing friends in the union

Listening Post class was very sweet tonight

as was sitting at the LP itself.

sweet talk with T, and random conversation with some international students

Letter from Tbird!

good movie/conversation/homemade Indian food with friends!

As I was walking in the snow, I saw a girl walking the other direction, and we smiled at each other. I think she was not American. I said, "do you like snow?!" and she said "yes!" It was lovely.

Also as I was walking, I was thinking about how the snow falling softly around me was like a serenade from Jesus. In that moment, I was so happy. giddy. I couldn't imagine being any happier. I couldn't imagine any thing or person that would fill me with more joy. That is what I want. Wilderness with J. 

thanks for reading, you're great. :)

love!

meandering thoughts

so many somewheres you are loved.


facebook is a counterfeit community. I long for real community, surrounding me, where we are encouraging each other and growing together.

It seems all we talk about these days is children. I don't mind.

comfort sounds: airplanes flying overhead at night, train whistles in the distance, wind whistling in the window, the fridge...

Is it that easy? You just go home for Thanksgiving break and tell your mama, oh by the way I'm going to marry him.

praying my Lucy comes soon...

so many somewheres

some unfortunate things happened, but I realized I am so happy being single. SO HAPPY. Do you hear me? SO HAPPY!