We'll Never Make It

Just finished a really great week at DNOW 2009. It was so cool to see different churches come together to worship and go out and serve. Some kids painted, other helped out at assisted living center, some walked around the mall praying for people. I was in charge of all of the video work and capturing everything.

A phrase stuck out to me when I was interviewing a kid and he said " We are just walking around and praying and doing all that we can." For me it is so liberating to know I'm not a hero. Only through Christ can I take part in any goodness of life. At the end of the day I'm beat, and I know I can't do it all, but I also know that God is faithful and in that I find rest when I can no longer go on. We will never make it on our own.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Feed my lambs." ¹⁶He said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." He said to him, "Tend my sheep." ¹⁷He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" and he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."
John 21:15-18 (ESV)

Bring Your Knifes!

Well, I'm back home now after a 3 day vacation to Sugarland, TX. I was there helping some friends out recording a live worship cd. We knocked out 6 songs in 2 days, and even managed to squeeze in time to shoot some videos for the upcoming Return Tour. I had a great time enjoying Bob's tacos, having a sleepover, good conversation, and good friends and family time. I'm terribly tired and I have school tomorrow, but I'm gonna choose to be glad and enjoy the rest of my busy week. So should you!

Heart Day

What a great week! The weather has been great, the lightning storms, the sunshine, the hail, its all really great. This Friday is the Sad Accordions show at Lambert's BBQ (you should come), and I cannot wait to hear these guys live. I heard about them through a friend, and I love their songwriting and sound. A Bad Year For The Sharon's is a great album that you should look for.

Check them out here. Sad Accordions

Valentine's day is coming up this weekend. I'm not terribly excited about it. It was cool in 3rd grade, where everyone received cool cards and candy, and you where able to write secret letters to the girl you liked and put it into her decorated valentine card box. I miss that, kinda.

Tuesday

Call me a girl, but veggie chips and spinach dip are my new favorite snack. Amongst these new changes and discoveries, I have found myself to prefer whole wheat bread over white bread. Now don't get any idea that I'm trying to eat healthy or anything, all of this has come upon itself naturally. Here's recent proof.

Every Grain of Sand

I feel compelled to share this after I heard Emmylou Harris sing it.

Every Grain of Sand by Bob Dylan

In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need
When the pool of tears beneath my feet flood every newborn seed
There's a dyin' voice within me reaching out somewhere,
Toiling in the danger and in the morals of despair.

Don't have the inclination to look back on any mistake,
Like Cain, I now behold this chain of events that I must break.
In the fury of the moment I can see the Master's hand
In every leaf that trembles, in every grain of sand.

Oh, the flowers of indulgence and the weeds of yesteryear,
Like criminals, they have choked the breath of conscience and good cheer.
The sun beat down upon the steps of time to light the way
To ease the pain of idleness and the memory of decay.

I gaze into the doorway of temptation's angry flame
And every time I pass that way I always hear my name.
Then onward in my journey I come to understand
That every hair is numbered like every grain of sand.

I have gone from rags to riches in the sorrow of the night
In the violence of a summer's dream, in the chill of a wintry light,
In the bitter dance of loneliness fading into space,
In the broken mirror of innocence on each forgotten face.

I hear the ancient footsteps like the motion of the sea
Sometimes I turn, there's someone there, other times it's only me.
I am hanging in the balance of the reality of man
Like every sparrow falling, like every grain of sand.

Hot and Bright

First Fig by Edna St. Vincent Millay

My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends —
It gives a lovely light!

Time and Prayer

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Ephesians 7:3-13 (ESV)

I find it a wonder to think about how God uses; a letter, a story, a prayer, written thousands of years ago, by a man in prison, to impact the lives and stories of so many. Sometimes I take for granted the time I am given to pray for others, but more importantly the ability to pray. To recognize the goodness of God, the father role he continually fills in my family. In the words of Nouwen, prayer is the unceasing recognition that God is wherever we are, always inviting us to come closer and to celebrate the divine gift of being alive. To some people prayer is a hoax, to some it's just a conversation with God, a plea for help, but it's something way bigger than all of those. It's loving God, and knowing the heart of God, and in this we experience what we desire most, true steadfast love.

ecce homo

George Rouault, "Ecce Homo" ("That is the man")
Paris, Musée national d’art moderne, 1937-41. canvas on wood. in 34 + 24.4