The Good News

Praising God this morning for a fresh reminder of the best story that ever has been or will be…the gospel of Jesus Christ…the story that changes everything.

I just had an incredible time with my dad. We went with my school to England and Scotland for a few weeks. It was technically a study trip, but in my mind it was a daddy/daughter getaway. I’m so thankful for those days…I had him all to myself. We laughed and talked and read and saw beautiful places and heard inspiring stories of saints, past and present. It was wonderful. We made three top 10 lists of memories—the best, the worst (for example, when I fell down on an escalator with a bunch of luggage—yikes!), and the funniest. I’d post them here, but I think for the most part you had to be there. Anyway, there is one scenario I have to share…it actually wasn’t even on a top 10 list, but it’s one that the Lord used to speak to me.

The group was traveling by bus one day, and this guy, who is a father of four kids (ages 7 to 14) asked my dad and I for advice on how to stay strong as a family during the teenage years. He said a couple of his kids aren’t much on family time these days and that he’s struggling to find a balance between disciplining them yet still creating the type environment they would want to hang out in. I was humbled by the question right off the bat, considering I’m not a parent yet. He has a love for those four kids that I’ve not yet known. He has a responsibility for them that I am yet to have. Plus, all families are so different and I barely know this man, much less his family, so how could I begin to speak to his question? OK, so maybe he really just wanted to hear from my dad, but posed the question to both of us to be polite. I don’t know.

At any rate, I piped up and made sure he understood the main reason I loved hanging out with my parents even at 16. I knew they loved me. I never doubted their respect for me. There was no question of their desire for me to do well. They even thought I was cool. They took interest in whatever my sister and I were all about at the time. They opened their home to our friends night after night. They always had my back and my best interest at heart. I knew all of this because they told me so and they lived up to those words…day after day, to this day, for that matter.

This is where I’m convinced of Cooley’s Looking-Glass Self, a sociological concept that concludes that a person views him/herself through others’ perceptions and in turn, gains identity. So, identity is the result of the concept in which we learn to see ourselves as others do. The looking-glass self is strongest at childhood, but continues throughout life. Practically speaking, my parents would say to me, “I will always be proud of you,” “You are a light to those around you,” and so forth. Now, I know for sure that there were plenty of times that I acted in ways that did not make them proud (and I can testify to their diligence to punish—that’s for another story). Even still, at the end of the day, they would be pouring into me words of love and affirmation. “You are an incredible girl.” “God has his hand on you and is using you.” Over time, I began to believe that what they were saying was true. (I want to make my point without constant disclaimers, but I should probably communicate at this point that I never thought I was indeed the queen of the world when my parents told me I was a princess. Sometimes Satan’s lies make kids so far from understanding the love of a parent, and eventually the love of Christ, that I propose a million reminders of such love is not a bad thing.)

Now, I said in the beginning that this is about the gospel. Perhaps obvious at this point, please bear with me…

Christians in all stages—little babes in Christ…and those who have walked with him for years, find identity by listening to the Father. We believe what God says about his children is true. All throughout Scripture are God-breathed statements revealing the nature of the believing heart…
“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you…if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who lives in you…Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

Amazing how much truth is packed into those few verses in Romans 8. Praise God for a Bible full of examples! This particular chapter, however, has proved to be so powerful to me. When I am tempted to fall into various types of sin, I recall these verses, remembering that because of my changed nature, I am no longer obligated to fulfill the desires of the flesh. I am free from that which leads to guilt and hurt and ultimately death! There are things I don’t think or say or carry out because it’s not who I am! On the other hand, there are plenty of things I do think, say, and do because of the obligation (the joyful obligation) to the Spirit life, which leads to a life that looks like Jesus’…oh, how dependent I am on God to live this truth!

The identity of the believer—every decision, attitude, facial expression, thought, idea, word—everything goes back to what the Father says about his children. There is a plumb line of perfection, which is not intended to promote fear, but a sound mind. Listening to what God says about his church leads to a brokenhearted boldness in the adventures of this life. More time in his Word leads to a better understanding of the Father and his love for his children which leads to fewer identity crises. “Identity crisis” may be a bit intense, but seriously, how easy (apart from God’s Word) is it to compromise and waver in thoughts and decisions? It’s amazing the confidence in Christ and the freedom from self that comes with each encounter with the Lord.

OK, before I go, just a couple more sweet words from Scripture…

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us for our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
Psalm 103:8-13

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
Isaiah 43:25

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him…Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”
1 John 3:1, 6, 21-24

Blessings to you, friends!

*a note—I don’t propose Cooley’s as gospel truth. Praise God for situations where children rise up out of situations that are anything but encouraging and shatter the looking-glass self. There can surely be stronger principles in play than social influences, and I am fully confident that God will draw those whom he has called. I just find the theory instrumental in understanding part of what it means to be a child of God. How wonderful that even when family fails, there is always an account of God's passionate pursuit and love for his own!

*another note—This started out as a journal entry, but the truth of Luke 8:16 took over me—“No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.” How often I neglect to share of the mighty truths and works of God, forsaking the fact that Jesus intends for believers to spread his truths as widely as possible. Lord, help us not be silent. Please take my fear of not being able to do justice to your story. Glorify yourself and teach me to trust you. It’s your plan for us to share, and you are always faithful to make a way. Thanks for the blog, Lord, and most of all, for your relentless, merciful love. I will bless your name forever.

Up next: Patchouli and Tie-dye

:) For you two or three people who read my blog...I'm sorry I've disappeared from the blogosphere lately. I'm in one of those little seasons that comes with a temptation to announce your mile-long list of things to do to everyone who gets within a mile of you. I'm going to resist talking about finals, but I would appreciate your prayers. I want to finish strong this semester for his glory. Now for a story...

Sometimes I think I'm turning in to a hippie. In the past few weeks and months, I've caught myself eating granola and veggie burgers, asking my dad if his company recycles, taking advantage of those reusable bags at Wal-Mart, and getting frustrated about the poor air quality in Bham.

Cool, I think at first. But then my analytical brain kicks in. Maybe it's subconsciously because the hippie movement is the most drug-related movement in American history. Stay with me...

I'm in tons of company with this whole hippie action in 2008. Green is the new black. This is good, although it has its limits. Part of our God-given role as human beings is to responsibly rule over the created world. We need to take care of it for that reason, recognizing it not a matter of obligatory obedience, but as for our good and for the good of generations to come. So, I will continue stepping out with confidence as I rock my reusable tote. Here's what I can't get around though...this place is going to burn one day. While it's completely legit to take care of the earth, are we not guaranteed that conditions on this planet are going to get worse (as in the pains of child birth) and then be destroyed? All that to say, perspective is important.

I'm writing about all this craziness because of another level. To my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ—we must be on guard against a Social Gospel, which is no Gospel at all. Along with the resurgence of extreme eco-friendliness is a deadly lie that "all we need to do is love people to Jesus." Absolutely not true. If that were the case, the Salvation Army would be baptizing people left and right. Scripture absolutely commands us to care for the poor and to seek justice for weak(John 21:15-17, James 1:27). But, people need more than another meal. Scripture also clearly calls us to encourage people to seek right relationships with Christ (Matt.28:18-20, Acts 4:12). The two have to go together. In America's pluralistic, tolerant culture, Jesus isn't even on most people's radar. But that is not an excuse; it's a challenge. We must boldly share the name of Jesus and lift his name high. Christ alone is true justice for the oppressed and for every broken soul in this world.

The true Gospel message is one that is centered on the mercy of Jesus Christ. God help us grasp the truth more and more as we are propelled into the world to share the love of Christ as we serve this world and make your great name known. Your Word tells us that social action is no substitute for truly ministering to lost sheep in your name. Raise up your children and give us strength. You are able, God, for you are strength.

Passion '08 ATL

Passion ’08 made its stop in Atlanta this weekend. It was a long-awaited experience…I think I registered in September! There's just nothing like praising Jesus and worshiping him freely with 10,000 of your closest friends. We broke down and had church this weekend in the Gwinnett Arena! God is surely leading this movement called Passion and the Holy Spirit is moving in our hearts.

Louie made a sweet list of moments, key words, and phrases at the 268 blog that represent the weekend. I don't know that it will make complete sense, though to outsiders. I'm going to post my notes here...and I'm writing for the sake of those who couldn't make it.

First a few thoughts...
May it be said that I am thankful to God and all the leaders he has in place for providing a place to sing, shout, dance, watch, listen, learn, grow, and DO SOMETHING NOW. The Passion movement has undoubtedly influenced my life tremendously. At Passion '07 in Atlanta, I internalized many biblical truths that have changed my course. I posted my notes last year on Facebook, but there are approx. 14 pages of them, so you can say I warned you if you decide to check them out!

This year's Passion conferences are all over the globe—in six US cities and then in 17 cities across the world. I'm pumped that so many more people are going to experience Passion this year, but the four-day event turned one day + one night event was a sad thing for me. There wasn't much teaching like there has been in the past, and I missed it!

I am glad the DO SOMETHING NOW campaign is growing. It makes sense that when thousands of Christians gather together, the neediest people in the world should feel the effects of their time together, their prayers and efforts. And I definitely love that 11 villages in Africa will have wells soon because poor college kids were given the opportunity to give what they could for these kinds of things to be done in the name of Jesus Christ! Praise you, Father!

OK, now for the notes...they are cryptic and not as organized as I'd like, but here goes!

a thought from Louie (04/11)
"I'm not mad at the church because if I was running the church, there would still be problems because last time I checked, everything I've been running has problems too."

I appreciated that statement considering the overwhelming amount of highly publicized critical discussion about the church these days. This also reminds me of something my momma always says..."You'll always be disappointed when you look at the people around you, but you'll never be disappointed when you keep your gaze upward, on the Father."


Francis Chan on the Holy Spirit (04/12)

Matthew 5:16—“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Francis posed the question, how do we do things where people don’t glorify us but the Father? By the Holy Spirit!

Acts 2—When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, and the apostles spoke in all different languages, people weren’t like, “Wow, John, he learned Spanish in like two minutes!” No, the conclusion of the experience was, “Repent and be baptized!”

Francis testified of the work of the Holy Spirit in his church in California. He said the elders have relationships that are like, “Hey, if anything happens to you, I’ll take care of everything. And see these keys? Yeah, it’s like my car, your car, everybody’s car, whatever.” They have taken a hard look at Acts and everything is like a 180. They’ve decided if they’re going to do church, they want to do it 100%.

One day a Jehovah’s Witness dude came to Francis’ house. Francis had a godly attitude about it…he said he didn’t get into fight mode. He said the Jehovah’s Witness guys put him in really sad, sad mode. He looked at the guy and said, “You know I think what you do is awful because you go around talking about my Jesus.” They discussed a few issues, particularly the person of Christ, and Francis provided Scriptural support (Daniel 10:13) for why Jesus is not an arch angel, like the Jehovah’s Witnesses claim. Then, Francis asked him if he came to the conclusions he had by opening up the Word or because he had been indoctrinated by other people. The guy listened and told Francis he was actually learning that day. After the guy left, Francis said he asked himself the same question. Then he realized, “If I were on an island and all I had was this book [the Bible], do you know what I would be thinking about? The HOLY SPIRIT.”

One day, Francis asked his wife, “Have you ever wondered what goes through the mind of a caterpillar? I mean all his life he’s like crawling on the ground like, ‘oh, there’s a new speck of dirt,’ and then one day he takes a nap, a really long nap. Then he wakes up and he’s like [Francis makes wing motions with his arms]…SHUT UP!” This is kind of what it’s like to be a new creation in Christ! There is an obvious difference when the Spirit is present!

Romans 8:11—And if the Spirit of him who raised Christ from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Some of you respond to that like, “Yeah, but my problems are way bigger than that.” Ahem. That’s like saying, “Oh well, I prayed for the Holy Spirit, but I still lust or struggle with that.” It’s also like saying, “Well, I bought a treadmill. I don’t know why I still haven’t lost weight. I mean, I bought it.”
Keep in step with the Spirit!
Galatians 5:16—So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Galatians 5:25—Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Keep in mind God wants this way more than you do…what kind of Father do you think he is?
Luke 11:13—If you then, though you are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?

2 Chronicles 16:9—For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

What is man? The power lies in the person of the Holy Spirit.
James 5:17—Elijah was a man just like us.
Francis said, “Elijah had nothing on me. Moses? Big deal. He was just a man. The power is in the Holy Spirit.”

“Have you heard this so many times that you don’t get it? You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. I pray you would be freaked out by that.”


The testimony/prayer of Sam, the girl from mainland China who came to Passion ’08 DC…
“I didn’t know what to pray except, ‘God, will you take me?’ And God didn’t disappoint! He took me!!”

...and finally, my favorite lyrics of all the new songs we sang:

Heal my heart and make it clean; open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like you have loved me. Break my heart for what breaks yours; everything I am for your Kingdom's cause. (from "Hosanna")

We are free, we are free, yeah the Son has set us free! Drop your chains, sons and daughters, come and run in liberty!

African violets and a Reese's cup

A couple weeks ago, I got a bummer email from school. I had planned to study in Europe this summer through one of their programs, but they ended up canceling the trip. Ya know, I was just so excited about it…and then one day, just a couple months from the departure date, I check my email and with one click—bam—the bad news hit me like a smack in the face. I shed a few tears right there at work.

I’m interested to see what does lie ahead for the summer…but one thing is certain, God knows. He’s already got that worked out and his plan is surely better than what I had going. I just want to be at his service. This story is completely unfinished, but praise God…here’s how he comforted me in my little moment of disappointment…

The day after that message, Melanie, the quirky graphic designer, comes in to the office, with a cute little African violet plant and places it on my desk along with a Reese’s cup (my favorite). Before I could say anything, she pointed outside at the pouring rain and said (in Mel fashion), “Uh, look outside, uh, even the sky is sad about your trip.”

This is just one example of what I mean when I say I love the creativity of God. Thank you, Lord, for spurring us on with such a range of expressions of your love and compassion. Sometimes it’s a word aptly spoken and at other times it’s a hug or a smile or just the presence of a friend. Many times it’s a jewel from the Scriptures. God, thank you for Mel and the flowering plant and the Reese’s. I trust you with my life, and that includes this summer. Thank you for your faithful love.

Let there be light

My friend Kristen told a story about an experience she had in Peru last summer. One night she was lying in a hammock in the gazebo (I say “the gazebo” because many of us know the one)…and kinda dozed off in thought. When she came back to reality, she jumped, realizing the sun was gone and that she was swinging in complete darkness. As she recounted this story, she made a good point, “If you’ve never been in the jungle at night when there are no stars, I promise you it’s a new shade of black.” So, she finally climbed out of the hammock, grasped on to the railing of the gazebo, and prayed she would get back to her bunk safely.

That’s about the time a little dim light beamed across the gazebo. Kristen looked up (deer in headlights, I’m sure) and saw our friend Allison, leaning over the railing. “I thought you might be stranded out here. Want some help getting back?” Kristen couldn’t have been more shocked…or relieved.

“A dinky flashlight keychain had illuminated the entire gazebo, silenced my fears, and lit the walkway back to safety. Who knew that one light was capable of making such a difference in overwhelming darkness?” she said.

So maybe this is an über obvious illustration…but I like the story. And I love the picture of light in darkness that is weaved throughout Scripture…

2 Samuel 22:29
You are my light, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

Isaiah 9:2
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

Daniel 2:22

He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Micah 7:8-9 (my favorite)
Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness.

Luke 11:34
Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness.

John 3:19
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

John 12:46
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

Romans 13:12
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Ephesians 5:8-14 (love this passage)
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 John 2:9
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.

God is light. He is the creator of the great lights—the sun to govern the day, the moon and stars to govern the night. He is the giver of light. His light shines forever. The heaviest downpours can’t extinguish his flame. The most raging storms can’t cut off his power. He is the eternal source of light.

He says to his people, “Follow me,” and “Be the light of the world.”

Who me?

Yes, you.

How?

Talk to me. And listen to my voice.

God, I feel darkness closing in around me. Hurting people surround me, those who are sitting in darkness. I know a little goes a long way, but I don’t even know how to shine a dinky keychain light in my realm of influence. I’m tired.

I know. You need mercy and help in your time of need. Come to me. Turn from evils, and turn to mercies that are new every morning. Flee what is wrong. Seek help. Everyone who seeks finds. Fight with yourself. Don’t justify things that I clearly name as evil. Don’t despair when you find evils within yourself. I love you. Come to me, and I will begin to teach you how to love.

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and your renown are the desire of our hearts (Isaiah 26:8).

Balance

Just thinking about how important balance is in life...I'm reminded of it seemingly every day.

talking—listening
planning—doing
solitude—fellowship
action—reaction
heavy—light-hearted
temporal—eternal
spending—saving
earthly—ethereal
sensible—spontaneous
academic—practical

***

Never does a matter of balance exist between the spiritual and the real. The spiritual is real.

Now, let’s go do some Pilates. ;)

More than seven words

Simplicity. There’s a hunger for it these days…Apple is the prototypical example here, with all its clean, smooth, simple products and advertising. Google works too. White background. Bam. One word. And we’re done. Tiffany. Nike. Starbucks. This kind of branding genius is not what I’ll proceed to discuss here. Again, I want to clarify—this is not about simple versus busy/noisy/overloaded.

The object of frustration and hope I’m getting at is our use of language. Not only do we prefer seven words to 14, but we prefer the seven most basic, commonly understood, dumbed down words we can get our hands on. And that, I propose, is a problem.

Linguists have proven for centuries that we think because we have words, not the other way around. So, when words are virtually eliminated from our language, so is an element of thinking—and in turn, of understanding—in our lives.

This is evidenced in the music we listen to, in the movies we watch, on the billboards and magazines we read, and, (gulp) in our own conversations. How often do we actually come across a word we’re unfamiliar with? (Chirp, chirp…right?) Pretty sure the last time I heard a word in a song I didn’t know was in ’99. I was a freshman in high school and Shania Twain, bless her, was on the radio every five minutes singing, Man, I Feel Like a Woman! But there was that line—The best thing about being a woman is the prerogative to have a little fun (fun, fun). Prerogative. Pre-rog-a-tive. I learned a new word…one that to this day I can’t say without smiling (at least on the inside) at the thought of that silly Shania song.

Why should we have to bring our language down to the lowest common denominator in order for it to be “meaningful”? Why did Dasani change the copy on their water bottle wrappers from something thought-provoking about “reverse osmosis” to now, the plain “purification system”? Why do we allow our language to become dwindled and shriveled?

While Dasani’s marketing copy may have digressed, the language compromise is a much more serious tragedy among the Church. Why are we afraid of the word fellowship? And spirit? And body of Christ? And justify? And sanctify? Do they remind us of the baffling and incomprehensible and fearful things like the Passover, Crucifixion, and Resurrection (to name only a few)—those mighty acts of God which we struggle to understand because our childlike creativity (along with our vocabulary) has been corrupted and diminished? How about their function in revealing more about the character of God himself?

Madeleine L’Engle makes a good point: In the literary world, Christianity has pretty well replaced sex as the present pet taboo, not only because Christianity is so often distorted by Christians as well as non-Christians, but because it is too wild and free for the timid.

It’s rare for people talk about the things of God today. Even the most churchy people on the block seem to struggle to communicate about “the most important part of their lives” on a day-to-day basis, with friends, at restaurants, off the cuff.

This must change! We (Christians) talk about wanting to reach the world with the gospel message. We cannot settle for limiting our conversations about Christ to nothing more than the same words we use to describe our favorite band or our relationship with our best friend. There is an immense need for more!

Our hearts were made to be enlarged by Christ, and all while all of creation, fallen as it is, cannot adequately define his supremacy, I’m convinced there’s plenty of room to raise the bar.

I long for our generation to embrace God’s Word…even the tough, unpopular words in God’s Word. But it will take willing hearts and minds and the power of the Holy Spirit to stop this train of ignorance that’s charging downhill full speed ahead.

Generic, pop-culture language is simply insufficient in and of itself to describe our God. “God rocks.” Yes, he does. But that just doesn’t cut it when a seeking soul asks you what you think about God. This is why I believe the deliberate diminution of vocabulary is wrong; it cripples understanding. And the understanding of the Holy is worth our very lives.

I’m challenging myself to use more colorful language...to not be afraid to passionately utilize and break down those biblical words. And maybe even add some spice every now and then with references to the original languages of the Old and New Testaments.

Again, simple is one thing…a positive element, indicating organized thought free of complication. Length is not necessarily the point. I’m not suggesting we walk around spouting off dissertations! (Yikes.) It’s a matter of content. I’m simply encouraging colorful, rich, artful, liberated, biblical, informed articulation of faith. God help us.

What's in a Name?

Three reasons for the name of my blog—Story Hour...

“Since then you have been raised with Christ in God, set your hearts on things above. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4

The redemptive love story of Jesus Christ is the overarching story of my life. It’s the benchmark, against which everything in my life must be measured. All my experiences, relationships, opportunities, questions, desires, challenges…go back to this story.

“…and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
John 10:3

The gospel is as personal as it gets. It centers on a compassionate and just God who shows great concern for his people on an individual basis. There is nothing mechanical or routine about the way the Father relates to his children. Glory to God for anything good in my story.

My incredible momma, Donna Vaughn, is the Pre-K director in Paris, Tennessee. She spreads the love of Christ week after week with children and their parents. Every Monday morning, she has around thirty little ones for a time called Story Hour.

I am forever amazed by her pure love for God, her simple appreciation of the good, her ability to listen (I mean really listen), her care for the children she teaches, her commitment to FBC, Paris, her faithfulness to our family, her wisdom, and her constant prayers. Throughout my life she has encouraged me to express myself and to this day, she always wants to know my story. So, I do know of one person reading this right now…Momma, thank you. I love you! :)

Study Break

I’ll never forget my first day of seminary. I sat on the back row in my Old Testament class and Chad Hunsberger looked over and saw the tears spilling out of my eyes and down my face. Naturally, he asked, “What’s wrong?” I was simply overwhelmed with the opportunity I had been given—the luxury of studying God’s Holy Word—in a setting like that…with a professor rockin' the Ph.D., great books, and all these other people who were committed to Kingdom work. I had dreamed of going to seminary since middle school and there I was—in the first hour of my journey. I gave Chad a simple answer, but he got the point and said, “Wow. You don’t see that very often.” I just shook my head and thought, “Well I don’t know why not.”

A semester and a half later, here I am…mid-terms to study for, papers to write, not to mention the stresses of holding down a full-time job in the meantime. I confess that I’m struggling with weariness and the temptation to let my attitude slip into a state a few steps shy of gratitude. This translates further—I’m flooded with the temptation to settle into an academically based routine empty of the pleasure of genuine communion with God. No thanks. I want more intimacy with my Savior.

I need to bathe—to soak—in the Word. And I humbly depend on the Spirit to work in concert with God’s Word to “clean off my heart” (that’s how sweet Caroline…my cousin’s five-year-old daughter put it). Scripture is full of brilliantly colored, beautifully penned attempts to describe a love that is good beyond description. Just a few examples…



The Lord to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7…
The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

The imagery in Hosea 2 (vv. 14-16, 19-20) is breathtaking...
Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. In that day, declares the LORD, you will call me "my husband"; you will no longer call me "my master." ...I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.

Jesus’ prayer in John 17 (vv.22-24) brings me to my face…
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

This is the knowing of a lover, not a scholar. A scholar can be a lover. But a scholar doesn’t know God until he is a lover. This is one reason so many Christians become so impure. They don’t really know God—the true, massive, glorious, gracious, biblical God. “The humble intimacy and brokenhearted ecstasy—giving fire to the facts—is not there,” John Piper explains.

A stuffy glance and nod of the head from intelligencia doesn’t even get close. We’re talking about a deep gaze on lock…complete attention…a heart-pounding understanding that penetrates to the depths of one’s being. Knowing God means having ears to hear Jesus say, “I love you.” I echo the psalmist (Ps. 27:4)…One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

Piper said, “We were made to know Christ as he really is. We were created to comprehend—as much as a creature can—the supremacy of Christ…not the knowing of a hurricane by watching TV but by flying into the eye of the storm.” This is an incredibly adventurous knowing…it’s a love that propels us to shout it from the mountaintops…to tell people everywhere of our great God.

Ah! Bless the Lord, oh my soul! Praise the Lord for this truth. When my brain is fried, and my head hurts, and I just feel like toast, I find rest in the arms of my God. Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! I will praise you as you sustain me to finish this semester strong.

I think I’m ready to get back to work now. ;)

A Removable Tiara

A couple months ago, I was down in Florida for a class, and I stayed with my long-lost aunt, Tara Laine, her husband, and their precious twin boys.

Tara Laine and I shared some great late-night conversations (my favorite) that week. One night, she asked me about my love life. I stammered around and mentioned that I think I’ve developed more reasonable expectations for a relationship…and that I’m not looking for a Cinderella-esque story. “Princess stories just aren’t real,” I said.

She stopped me and said, “Now wait a minute…girls are princesses. That’s just how God made us.” I sat there, giving her open ears and an open mind…even though it wasn’t easy to restrain myself from blurting out something contrary. I’m glad I hushed. She continued, “The tiara just has to be removable. You are still a princess. You just have to be able to set the tiara aside sometimes, roll up your sleeves, and deal with stuff. But that doesn’t mean you throw it away!”

I got it. And I liked it. Sure, that’s partly because she’s telling me I can still be a princess. However, I think it’s also because it resonates on a deeper level and is a picture of how God made the human heart. Those of us who are believers are daughters and sons of the King, which also makes us heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, according to Romans 8:16. It would not be fair to stop there though. The verse I just mentioned has a conditional clause—“if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

We crave the marriage of suffering and glory whether we realize it or not…because it’s central to the redemption story of Jesus Christ that is written on our hearts.

It shows up on the silver screen week after week. Think Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers…
Theoden: A great host, you say?

Aragorn: All Isengard is emptied.

Theoden: How many?

Aragorn: Ten thousand strong at least.

Theoden: [astonished] Ten thousand?

Aragorn: It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall.

Theoden: Let them come.

And in the minds of the smallest child…
Mark Twain wrote in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, “In order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to obtain.” The very fact that a trinket, a ball, or a girl’s attention is hard to get—makes it so very glorious and desirable to a little boy.

I want to break this down to a few personal examples…
Pretty sure wearing sparkly shoes is more fun on nights when I’ve been working outside in tennis shoes all day. And doesn’t a shower feel better after working out then when you’ve just been sitting around? Do you not treat with so much more care that which you worked many days to pay for? And isn’t time with your closest Christian friends richer when you’ve been very much “in the world,” sharing life and loving those who don’t know the Father?

We must be careful not to separate suffering and glory by elevating and glamorizing the idea of the glory alone. Love prevails in times of suffering just as in times of glory. God help us from reveling in our regalia and avoiding the vital part of the Christian life called suffering. Let’s not miss the whole point. My best friend, Sarah Michael, shared with me what John Piper said: “The pain of our shattered plans is for the purpose of his scattered grace.” Praise God. Piper also says, “God is most gloried when we are most satisfied in him during times of suffering, not prosperity.” I don’t think we can be reminded enough. Our flesh hates discipline and suffering. We wince at pain and can’t get enough comfort.

Trust me…I struggle with the prayers that flow from this truth and the implications this has for my own life. But I want true fellowship with Christ, and I’m pretty sure that means I need to know him in his sufferings…after all, no one has ever nor will ever suffer as much or to the extent that he did. He learned obedience through what he suffered (Heb.5:8). He was made perfect through suffering (Heb. 2:10). Therefore, we should see all the hardship and suffering that comes to us in life as something that God brings to us to do us good, strengthening our trust in him and our obedience, and ultimately increasing our ability to glorify him.

Now, when it comes to my love life…I’m definitely far from having it figured out, but I do think it’s safe not to run from the thought of Cinderella. I just needed to do a little re-defining of what it really means to be a princess, that’s all.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog. Thanks for stopping by. I've decided this is going to be a good stage, an open mic, a blank slate. For a girl who writes for a living, I struggle to find time to write for sheer pleasure. There was a time when I would etch away my thoughts almost as quickly as they came...but that was many moons ago, long before blogs were on the scene.

Mark Twain said, "Words are only painted fire; a look is the fire itself." I can see the truth in that. But I'm convinced that when words are written from the heart, it's very possible to feel the heat from the fire itself. I pray God will first of all, grow the fire that burns in my heart for him. And I pray his Spirit will empower me to emblazon his glory all over this little blog.

My cry is like that of Jeremiah's: But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot (Jeremiah 20:9).