by bradley hathaway
this is for the ones whose hope is falling
and you no longer heed your savior's calling.
this is for the ones whoes backs are turning
and that passion-filled heart you once had has stopped burning.
this is for the ones abandoned.
now all alone with no solace
and you think that you're stranded.
this is for you empty, by life branded,
had a vision that took leap, but it never landed.
this is for the ones who are plagued.
by those mysteries of life.
and you feel torn inside by this mind and spirit strife.
this is for the ones whose mistakes are too many to count
and the guilt on your chest just continues to mount.
this is for the ones whoes desire to do good is always outweighed
and you don't do as you should.
this is for the ones who have been done wrong by sins.
at the corrupted hands of perverted men.
hold on.
HOLD ON!
soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of restoration will be our bedding.
soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of restoration will be our bedding.
the trumpeteer is taking a breath
the guests are taking their seats.
the Bride is putting on a veil.
the Father is making last-minute preparations.
there's ten thousand times ten thousand angels waiting in holy expectation.
the readied groom is ready.
soon will come the Celebration
if you are hurting, your hurt will cease.
if you are restless, you will find peace.
if you are empty, you will be filled.
all of these doubts and questions you have, they'll be stilled.
if life for you is just too trying, your tears will be dissipate.
there won't be anymore crying.
if the only thing you know is shame, you will be cleansed
and never again feel the same.
if you can't see straight
focus
persevere
and wait...
soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of complete restoration will be our bedding.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
jesus wants to save christians
the Eucharist confronts its culture with the question, if we can spend a trillion dollars on a war, what else could we spend a trillion dollars on?
water?
food?
medicine?
education?
the Eucharist is about converting all of that ability and energy and entrepreneurial skill and can-do attitude into blessing for those on the underside of power. those on the margins. those who aren't in the game.
the Eucharist is about people with the power empowering the pwerless to make a better life for themselves.
...
we have been given everything we need for the fulfillment of the story. and the act of loving the poor is an act of fulfilling, remembering; it's living our hope; it's the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways.
it's not a building, because no building can ever be big enough for that kind of grace.
the Eucharist is not fair.
giving to those who can't give in return, that's not fair.
serving those who have no way to serve in return, that's not fair.
breaking yourself open and pouring yourself out for people who may never say thank you, that's not fair.
because God is not fair. this is a God who is defined by action on behalf of the oppressed. God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God's good gift for the healing of the world. the church is Jesus' body, a good gift for the healing of the world.
...
a church is an organization that exists for the benefit of nonmembers.
this blessing extends even to our enemies.
...
the Eucharist is about the church setting the table for the whole world.
water?
food?
medicine?
education?
the Eucharist is about converting all of that ability and energy and entrepreneurial skill and can-do attitude into blessing for those on the underside of power. those on the margins. those who aren't in the game.
the Eucharist is about people with the power empowering the pwerless to make a better life for themselves.
...
we have been given everything we need for the fulfillment of the story. and the act of loving the poor is an act of fulfilling, remembering; it's living our hope; it's the fullness of him who fills all things in all ways.
it's not a building, because no building can ever be big enough for that kind of grace.
the Eucharist is not fair.
giving to those who can't give in return, that's not fair.
serving those who have no way to serve in return, that's not fair.
breaking yourself open and pouring yourself out for people who may never say thank you, that's not fair.
because God is not fair. this is a God who is defined by action on behalf of the oppressed. God is about giving the good gift. Jesus is God's good gift for the healing of the world. the church is Jesus' body, a good gift for the healing of the world.
...
a church is an organization that exists for the benefit of nonmembers.
this blessing extends even to our enemies.
...
the Eucharist is about the church setting the table for the whole world.
Monday, March 16, 2009
and i do believe its true, that there are roads left in both of our shoes
so i spent this past weekend up in the mountains with a fabulous group of women, being ridiculous, singing, dancing, making awkward faces and practicing being authentic. i have no other way to describe it other than amazing!!!
there were 23 awesome women, and i was blessed to feel like i made a friend in each of them. some had the opportunity to get deeper than others, but all in all i feel confident in saying that i have 23 new friends. i look forward to growing those relationships, and continuing to learn about these new people.
as you know, authenticity, truth, openness, love, etc are all values that i've been striving to grow in my life and with the people around me. this weekend was so condusive to that...just in the way that we spent our time, and the attitude that everyone had. we had a good amount of bonding activities, and free time to be silly and hang out, but the way we spent our devotional and small group time was also great! we had some deep questions, and i was blessed with a group that was ready to answer them, and be authentic, and show the others a glimpse of who they really are. it really helped to reinforce what's going on in my heart, as well as give me so much hope for where this group, and the church in general, is going from here. it was very cool to see so many people that have the same desires as me as far as building relationships. and very encouraging in my personal desire to be more intentional in my own friendships.
like i've been saying in my recent posts...things are happening. god is good. i'm soooo excited.
*whispers* "he is still here!"
there were 23 awesome women, and i was blessed to feel like i made a friend in each of them. some had the opportunity to get deeper than others, but all in all i feel confident in saying that i have 23 new friends. i look forward to growing those relationships, and continuing to learn about these new people.
as you know, authenticity, truth, openness, love, etc are all values that i've been striving to grow in my life and with the people around me. this weekend was so condusive to that...just in the way that we spent our time, and the attitude that everyone had. we had a good amount of bonding activities, and free time to be silly and hang out, but the way we spent our devotional and small group time was also great! we had some deep questions, and i was blessed with a group that was ready to answer them, and be authentic, and show the others a glimpse of who they really are. it really helped to reinforce what's going on in my heart, as well as give me so much hope for where this group, and the church in general, is going from here. it was very cool to see so many people that have the same desires as me as far as building relationships. and very encouraging in my personal desire to be more intentional in my own friendships.
like i've been saying in my recent posts...things are happening. god is good. i'm soooo excited.
*whispers* "he is still here!"
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
We ndodana ye sizwe sonke
"oh, son of the nation" in zulu
from the song he lives in you (reprise)
the lion king - broadway musical
if you read my last blog, you have a vague idea of what is going on in my life. i feel like that is still an accurate representation of where i'm at physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.
that said, god is lining things up for me. things i didn't expect to be lined up, but there is a path forming before me and i'm excited for it.
so far, i think being intentional with the people around me, and with god, has been working out very well for me. i'm enjoying every little bit of where i'm at right now.
i'm also very excited for what's coming up. giddy even. jump up and down, scream emphatically, make you want to dance kind of excited. god is good.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
if you want it, come and get it, for crying out loud...the love that i was giving you was never in doubt
"babylon"
david gray
i have been incredibly blessed. the last time i wrote, i was about to embark on a journey to kenya, and now i have returned.
since this adventure, i have been listening to god. i had an amazing time, and i'm still processing what that means for my future. but the thing is, instead of asking god for a clear answer to where i should go next, he is showing me something different. not a different path that i should be on, but rather a new way to live.
my biggest "challenge" on my trip to kenya was being vulnerable. i did not open up to the people there like i could have. not that my trip was anything less than amazing, but this was something that i was aware was going to be a challenge before i left, and i didn't do a very good job of being aware and overcoming it.
since being back, god has been showing me that he is vulnerable, and that i need to be vulnerable with him before i can have a chance at being vulnerable with other people. god loves me unconditionally, sees me as who i am, every detail, and if i can't be vulnerable with him, how can i be vulnerable with fallible humans?
this goes hand in hand with everything that i believe in, and everything that i've wanted for my life in the past year or two. i desire to be intentional in my friendships, to be authentic and real and be who we are right where we are at, in the presence of god. but how am i going to do that without god?!
*lightbulb*
so there it is. there's where i'm at. i'm content with not knowing the answer right this very moment, but i'm also not giving up at pursuing it! if it is not god's will, he will shut the door. and if it is, i am embarking on the path of a lifetime. awesome.
love.
david gray
i have been incredibly blessed. the last time i wrote, i was about to embark on a journey to kenya, and now i have returned.
since this adventure, i have been listening to god. i had an amazing time, and i'm still processing what that means for my future. but the thing is, instead of asking god for a clear answer to where i should go next, he is showing me something different. not a different path that i should be on, but rather a new way to live.
my biggest "challenge" on my trip to kenya was being vulnerable. i did not open up to the people there like i could have. not that my trip was anything less than amazing, but this was something that i was aware was going to be a challenge before i left, and i didn't do a very good job of being aware and overcoming it.
since being back, god has been showing me that he is vulnerable, and that i need to be vulnerable with him before i can have a chance at being vulnerable with other people. god loves me unconditionally, sees me as who i am, every detail, and if i can't be vulnerable with him, how can i be vulnerable with fallible humans?
this goes hand in hand with everything that i believe in, and everything that i've wanted for my life in the past year or two. i desire to be intentional in my friendships, to be authentic and real and be who we are right where we are at, in the presence of god. but how am i going to do that without god?!
*lightbulb*
so there it is. there's where i'm at. i'm content with not knowing the answer right this very moment, but i'm also not giving up at pursuing it! if it is not god's will, he will shut the door. and if it is, i am embarking on the path of a lifetime. awesome.
love.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
will I discover a soul-saving love or just the dirt above and below me
"Doubting Thomas"
Nickel Creek
(i'm starting to cite the lyrical reference i use as my subject)
too long since my last expression.
i was sick for like 5 days this last week/end. it was awful. didn't work, didn't hang out with people. so basically i'm very lacking in the social contact arena. i feel like i've missed a lot. in this time, i've decided to learn to knit, and have felt deeply like writing in my journal again. i haven't done it in so long, and i forget how easy it is for me to process my life when i'm writing it down. i feel like i haven't really processed life as well as i have in the past. so i'm starting that up again soon. yay me.
i need to go shopping for wintery clothes, because i'm getting cold. but that will be very difficult to do, because i also have to pay for my passport and immunizations for kenya this month. boo for not having health insurance.
but exciting part: i have flight reservations for kenya now!!! its almost official! i'm so beyond excited its difficult to put into words. i have a layover in amsterdam too. how amazing is that?? i have all morning there too, so i'm hoping there will be a bit of time to go out in the city for something. frick. amazing.
side note. i've been working in the girls chemical dependency cottage, and i'm absolutely loving it. i love it even more than working with the little kids. which is not what i expected. if i were to move to a full time position, i think i would want it to be with this program. i am trying to be aware of this new development, and trying not to lose sight of my vision. i don't want to forget that my goal is to go to africa and work with the children there. but then again, what if i'm supposed to do something with chemical dependency for a while, because i know i'm not meant to be in africa right now. that's something that's going to happen down the line in the future. so...i'm curious about the new possibilities that are opening up from this.
thanksgiving is this week. i'm not going home. this is my first major holiday away from home. its going to be weird, but i'm proud of myself for having a life up here and people to spend the holiday with. its kind of exciting to be building a life for myself up here.
i guess that's all. i have more to say, but its all in random sporadic thoughts rather than cohesive ideas.
love
Nickel Creek
(i'm starting to cite the lyrical reference i use as my subject)
too long since my last expression.
i was sick for like 5 days this last week/end. it was awful. didn't work, didn't hang out with people. so basically i'm very lacking in the social contact arena. i feel like i've missed a lot. in this time, i've decided to learn to knit, and have felt deeply like writing in my journal again. i haven't done it in so long, and i forget how easy it is for me to process my life when i'm writing it down. i feel like i haven't really processed life as well as i have in the past. so i'm starting that up again soon. yay me.
i need to go shopping for wintery clothes, because i'm getting cold. but that will be very difficult to do, because i also have to pay for my passport and immunizations for kenya this month. boo for not having health insurance.
but exciting part: i have flight reservations for kenya now!!! its almost official! i'm so beyond excited its difficult to put into words. i have a layover in amsterdam too. how amazing is that?? i have all morning there too, so i'm hoping there will be a bit of time to go out in the city for something. frick. amazing.
side note. i've been working in the girls chemical dependency cottage, and i'm absolutely loving it. i love it even more than working with the little kids. which is not what i expected. if i were to move to a full time position, i think i would want it to be with this program. i am trying to be aware of this new development, and trying not to lose sight of my vision. i don't want to forget that my goal is to go to africa and work with the children there. but then again, what if i'm supposed to do something with chemical dependency for a while, because i know i'm not meant to be in africa right now. that's something that's going to happen down the line in the future. so...i'm curious about the new possibilities that are opening up from this.
thanksgiving is this week. i'm not going home. this is my first major holiday away from home. its going to be weird, but i'm proud of myself for having a life up here and people to spend the holiday with. its kind of exciting to be building a life for myself up here.
i guess that's all. i have more to say, but its all in random sporadic thoughts rather than cohesive ideas.
love
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
i found myself facedown in at ditch, booze in my hair, blood on my lips
I'M GOING TO KENYA!!!
i feel so much like this opportunity is coming right now to affirm all the work that God has done in my heart in the last few months. why would i feel this incredible burden on my heart for this time, and then have the exact opportunity to do what i've been dreaming of fall into my lap so unexpectedly? i feel like puzzle pieces are matching up, stars are aligning, watches are synchronizing...
here we go.
i have a poem and a painting in my heart right now. they will be coming out very soon. and i'm excited for that.
:)
i feel so much like this opportunity is coming right now to affirm all the work that God has done in my heart in the last few months. why would i feel this incredible burden on my heart for this time, and then have the exact opportunity to do what i've been dreaming of fall into my lap so unexpectedly? i feel like puzzle pieces are matching up, stars are aligning, watches are synchronizing...
here we go.
i have a poem and a painting in my heart right now. they will be coming out very soon. and i'm excited for that.
:)
