Check It.

This is sweet.  Check it.

Just Read It Again, Okay?

I'm re-posting something.
From my own blog.
That I posted about a month ago.
Why?
Because I think we needed to read it again.

A man does not live by his feelings any more than by bread.

And when he can no longer feel the truth, he shall not therefore die.  He lives because God is true; and he is able to know what he lives because he knows, having once understood the word that God is truth.  He believes in the God of former vision, lives by that word therefore, when all is dark and there is no vision.


-George McDonald

I Sing.

I sing because I'm happy.

I sing because I'm free.

For His eye is on the sparrow.

And I know He watches me.

Listen.

sparrow cred = matt sewell.

Peace and Joy.

Peace you seem a fickle friend.

Joy a winsome tease.

Just as I seem to know you,

It feels as though you leave.

Fear, sorrow, and grief,

They come, and take your place.

These guests they are unwelcome,

Sadly familiar in this space.

O, how did I loose you yet again?

I thought we had a deal.

A deal that you would stay and grow,

So sure our bond was real.

How I enjoy your company,

Your presence, it is missed.

Life is ne’re the sweeter here,

Whilst peace and joy, you kiss.

Yet suddenly the truth is known,

Now ‘tis plain to see.

You are not the friend who leaves,

Nay, that fickle friend is me.

The one who turns and leaves is I,

It is me who runs away.

It happens in a simple instant,

When I choose not to stay.

To turn my eyes but for a moment,

To something less than Light.

For fear, sorrow, and grief,

Can seem warm in the cold, dark night.

Peace you are a constant companion.

Joy a faithful friend.

You wait patiently on and on,

‘Till I chose you once again.

Made For It.

I was made for relationship.  I’ll show you why,

To start...

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”  -Genesis 2:18

And then in Ezra...

When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. -Ezra 3:1 

There were 42,360 in the whole assembly. Plus 7,337 male and female servants. And 200 male and female singers.  [why they weren't considered as part of the assembly I'm not sure...?]  All gathering as one man.  Dang. That's a lot of people. Together. Close together.

And then in Acts...

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. -Acts 2:1

And then he has them all speaking, communicating with one another. He brings them together through language. Albeit the fact that they don't actually speak the same language. Amazing, no?

And all who believed were together and had all things in common.-Acts 2:44
And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God-Acts 2:42
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.-Acts 4:31-32

And then in my life...
It seems I forget just how important being 'together' with people is to my well-being.  How much it adds to this rise and fall of my chest.

Experience one:
Family friends stopped over for an impromptu meeting.  They’ve known me since I was a baby.  As we sat in the living room sharing stories and happenings, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  It was surprisingly refreshing.  I realized how much I had been missing social interactions like this.  Being in a larger group.  Just visiting.  Something you dread as a child-sitting around with your parent’s friends-was the best time I’d had in weeks.

Experience two:
Lunch.  Sunday.  Best friend.  AMEN.  I haven’t had quality time like that with Meg in awhile.  While we munched on french fries, sipping orange juice and coffee, we shared about family and friends, life and living.  And while that might seem like a strange mixture of breakfast and lunch, it was just what I needed off the menu.  I can’t thank you enough Meg for your friendship.  You are the true definition of a faithful friend.  A friend who is consistent, despite my consistent inconsistency.

Experience three:
Ryan and Kendra.  I spent most of my high school years with these two.  And unfortunately, very little time since.  Despite the latter, being at their house felt like being at home.  They are an incredible example of what it looks like to glorify God in the face of great trial. Psalm 119:74 says, “Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word”-I see you Ryan and Kendra, and I rejoice.  Because of your hope in the promises of God.  [Please Definitely] Check out their blog for more on that, because selfishly, I just want to highlight the gift of their friendship.  Albeit so much time apart, being welcomed in and feeling loved and known and comfortable with them, was a such a blessing.  Another wonderful reminder.

All three of these interactions happened within just twenty-four hours.  Apparently God wanted to really drive this point home- between reading His word and blessing me with the tangible experiences of the importance of friendship.  That I am indeed made for relationship.  Clearly with others, and most especially, with Him.

I'll have the Sweet Filled, please.

'Tis so _________ to trust in Jesus.

[hard]
[frightening]
[foolish looking]
[counter-cultural]
[seemingly counter-intuitive]
[crazy]
[submissive]
[idealic]
[earth shaking]
[cataclysmic]
[life giving]
[life altering]
[fullfilling]
[exciting]
[comforting]
[hope giving]
[reassuring]
[empowering]
[consuming]
[simple]

 'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.

There are so many words with which I fill that blank.  Sweet not being the first pick.  And then I listened to this song by Page CXVI.  [Who are about to become my new favorites.  Not to be pushy, but you need to add them to your list too.]  It speaks of the sheer goodness of trusting Christ. 
Yes, life with Jesus is sometimes all of those words listed above, but this was a quick reminder not to forget that 'tis truly just sweet to trust in Him.
 

 Jesus. Jesus.
How I trust you.

In Crossing The Line.

the moment where your dripping toes are hanging over the rocky edge
dark water and swirling foam thirty feet below.
the deep breath and gumption that makes you lean forward
setting your foot into nothing,
one and then the other.

that is where it happens

where you earn your stripes.
where you learn a thing or two.
it isn't while your speeding through the thin air.
or when the water sucks you in with its icy grip
nor when coming up sputtering with the taste of adrenaline still on your lips.

the heavy was at the beginning.
standing on that line.
with your heart pounding loudly in your ears.
that aforementioned adrenaline coursing through your weak feeling veins.
you stand at a crossroads.
with shaking hands you contemplate sitting this one out.
you try and convince yourself that you won't really be missing anything.

that you don't need to prove yourself by doing this.
that life won't be much different if you pass just this once.

but you do.
and it will.

you do need to prove yourself.
to yourself.
if you pass just this once, you might just pass up the next
and the next.
the good stuff takes place when you muster up enough courage and cross into the scary
leaving the comfortable back on the other side.

may we keep jumping.
despite the risk.
in spite of the risk.
for the risk itself.

for what it teaches us.
about giving up and giving in.
of letting go.
taking a deep breath and throwing your unsteady body and caution to the wind.
here’s to hoping that its what we learn
while we stretch our toes over that line.
in that moment where we are test and tried.
may we not be found wanting.
instead may we find Goodness.
no matter the deathly chill of the water below.