Lots and lots of love!

I meant to write about this when it happened, alas, it is a glory of the past, nevertheless, one to be shared. Last Saturday my best friend Charlene and I waltz over to University Hall in our little dresses (only mildly chilled by the unusually temperate February weather.) We see some scrambling commotion as we reach the doors, the first magically opens, and the second is opened magically - by a handsome gentleman (alias Ricardo) with a bowtie, are eyes are also riveted by the blond, bow-tied "waiter" to our left(alias Harold. We are seated in our places (reserved by exquisite name reservations) given menus, and can't help but notice the "1967 vintage" cover on a bottle of (what we are assuming was) sparkling grape juice and the cornucopia-style arrangement of apples, oranges, and bananas (a white carnation, edges tinged with lavender poking out). So, our socks were knocked off. Our orders are taken, and the most delicious pasta, salad, and sandwiches are brought out. The next, and equally wonderful, to arrive at our table were Trevor Tracey and Jimmy Haslam - dressed quite sharply, out of breath, and with huge grins on their faces. "Sorry we're late -- we got stuck in traffic." Us girls get the giggles, because no matter how different a bow tie makes someone look we'd recognize the faces of our loving and mildly mischievous friends anywhere!

Charlene and I both agreed we'd never felt so wooed (not woe-ed, but woooooo-ed). I wish every girl would have the chance to feel so absolutely loved, but the sad thing is, many of them don't. Even on a Christian campus I see girls in relationships they'd be better off free of - ones that they must learn to compromise their values, standards, and hope for a brighter future. They long for guys who can carry on those thought-provoking conversations, have fun and be honest with each other, they long for a guy who isn't ashamed of them and is romantic - without wanting to use them for something. There aren't very many guys like that out there - or people in general... But both Charlene and I have been blessed to find that (rather, given it by God). I've never felt like they were being kind just to get something out of us - it was clear to see that the love we felt was a love that comes from God and is for His greater glory.

What is seen has restored our hope in that which is unseen.

Possessed?

"I was a dismal mess, along with every other soul who is chained to the things of this life. When we lose the things we're all torn to pieces; then we realize we were miserable even while we had them." St. Augustine (The Confessions, book four)

I've been reading The Confessions for a while now (thankful that it's the type of book one can set down and come back to) it is both shameful and encouraging to read how similar I am to Augustine in my shortcomings. (I am nothing near to the "Saint" others claim he is.)

"Chained to the things of this world" that makes me think of a spiritual formation class I took - we talked about how one of the church "fathers and mothers" practiced simplicity as a spiritual discipline. Well, what's so spiritual about simplicity? I got an image, inadequately drawn on the back of some old test, of how each earthly thing traps us in this kingdom. Maybe that's why it's harder for the rich to get into the Kingdom of God than a camel through the eye of a needle - the rich have little threads (or are they chains) attached to each thing they have. You just can't drag all those things into the kingdom of God.

Possess the things of the old life and the world of sin and that is the kingdom which possesses you.

Thirsty Thursdays

The things that matter

white tights to cover unshaven legs
ones that will not likely be razed
red, silken shorts to cover up
the female's demonized body
rubber and plastic - one's trash
represent freedom: my treasure
wheels, and away I go
to the places I'll live someday...
melted snow puddles shimmering
delighted to muddle the ice
a rocky road is no deterrent
spring's first gentle current:
a breeze - balmy and beautiful
(as the unseen can always be)
kissing my hands, though days ago
it ripped and ravaged
rolling of clinging blouse -
is this allowed?
the same wind grazes my stomach
and tickles my fancies
of flying free

a leather glove three fingers clenching
nothing
the index pointing at the sogging swamp
honks of geese clatter cumulus clouds
clashing and colliding with falcon screech:
these are the things I love
three puppies, quivering with energy
the old and relaxed restless loose
wet tongues speak to ungloved fingers
the snatch of spring soars also
through the laden air
America's black and white leopards
feasting on grain (through metallic bars)
that will soon feast on their flesh

Another weekend to remember

Friday and Saturday February 11th and 12th: two more of the best days of my life.

Halt the Headlong Tumble

I looked in the mirror and saw darkness today;
covering both sides of my face

So I begged:
burn away the darkness I keep
let me leap with feet of faith
wholly into your sweet embrace
as you brush away the trail of tears -
an earthly journey of too many years

stop my pursuit of empty dreams,
foolish yearning for lovers
broken just like me
Why do I forget to see that
they're empty alone: like me.

Spiritual Formation

Some are unnerved by the term "spiritual formation", others fear it reduces grace, many are too lazy to discipline themselves for an unseen reward, a couple say there is no biblical support, even a few leaders question any spiritual formation beyond conversational prayer, mild scripture reading, and weekly church attendance. Yet even more are appalled by the weakness faith seems to have become, and are saddened by its' apparent powerlessness. Why? Common Christianity has become cost-less. Close your eyes and softly raise your hand, no one is looking around (to persecute you with their eyes or judgmental thoughts) life will be so much better once you invite Jesus into your heart. First of all, I'd like to see anyone fit a grown man into their 13 oz, fist-sized heart. Secondly, is following Jesus something to keep on the d-l? Fundamentalists, I'd like to qualm your spiritual formation fears, doubters, I'd like to show you what power and life lead by the Spirit of God can have.

1 Peter 1: 13- 2:3 (do you have this memorized? Then find your flesh-and-blood Bible off your bed or bookshelf and crack that thing open - READ it!)

First Peter talks about how we are to be morally alert and aware of the evil going on around us so we can stand against it. We don't rely on spiritual practices alone, or first and foremost, to do this- our hope is set fully and unchangeably on the grace that's in Jesus. BUT we are to live as children of obedience NOT to conform to evil desires which once governed us when we were still ignorant of the gospel requirements. We must learn how to abstain from conformity to the evil that rules this world and once ruled us. Holy in all of our conduct and manner of living we are to conduct ourselves with true reverence through our time of temporary earthly residence, realize our redemption from the useless way of living those before us lived, we weren't bought out of this with anything less than the absolutely precious blood of Christ. It is THROUGH Christ that we adhere to and rely on (which is belief)God. Obey the truth through the spirit – this is the way to purify our hearts so we can truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ- we must ardently love each other from a pure and motive-less heart. So we have to get rid ourselves of every trace of wickedness, depravity, all deceit, insincerity, hypocrisy, pretense, grudges, envy, jealousy, slander, all evil speaking. As if our sustenance depended on it we must eagerly desire the pure spiritual milk (SYMBOL?) this is what will nurture us and grow into our complete salvation, we should do these things because we have already tasted how good and kind our lord is.

Very rough paraphrase of the passage- but we can see that we need spiritual formation because God calls us to live holy lives, and that is opposite what the world calls us to. We want to live holy lives because that is what God desires- the one whom we yearn to obey for we know how wonderful he is. That's the principle for spiritual formation - sometime I'd like to get into how it affects us. Hopefully written from firsthand experience...

Chopped Thoughts

Do you believe in magic? I believe in something deeper, something much rarer. And I found it this weekend.

Though words are trivial attempts to describe the ineffable, I'll try once again;
(First of all, can I just say the moon is astounding - his smiling face is once more being obscured by the darkness that forces its power onto his countenance)

Never mind it all- the thought, the challenge, of describing all that happened is beyond me at the moment...