Genius

When I feel uninspired, I look at Ansel Adams’ photography.

Moonrise by Ansel Adams

A Smattering on Scattering

This Sunday I spoke on Genesis 11:1-9 and excerpts from Revelation 21 and 22.

The Tower of Babel story haunts me.  The serious implications of the choices humans made and the depth of the Father’s love is pushing the limits of my intellectual capacity.

Why did they choose to settle in Shinar - a place without natural resources?
With a legacy of God’s faithfulness, what caused them to doubt that He would be good to them?  That His decision would be right and good?

The answers disturb me because, in their sandals, I wouldn’t have chosen differently.

A small example of God’s graciousness

Last January Wachovia Securities bought out A G Edwards & Co.  I think it’s called a “corporate merger.”  The only reason I know this is because my dad works for A G Edwards.

Last year my parents switched all the children over to my dad’s health insurance since it was a cheaper package - this meant switching to Blue Cross.

Last month I found out I need a whole series of immunizations to go to Manila with Servant Partners.  My doctor’s office can only cover “routine immunizations;” the Philippines requires a “Japanese encephalitis” shot that is definitely not routine.

Last week, after calling the county public health clinic, I learned that they take cash only - the only other facility that offers travelers vaccinations is Kaiser.  So I would have to pay out of pocket for the JE shot - yikes.

Later last week, I get an email from my dad, that because Wachovia bought out his company, all the health insurance switched over to Kaiser, effective July 1 - and all our cards were already in the mail.

Which means that I can go to the Kaiser clinic and get the JE shot — for a $10 co-pay!

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…

“Shalom” continues to create a deeper meaning for itself in my mind; it comforts me while I live and work that God is the restorer of peoples, nations, and relationships.

When in my life have I experienced true shalom? When have I felt fully loved and freed by that same love that brings shalom everywhere it goes? The image of heat radiating through a room, slowly, but leaving no pocket of air untouched - is this the shalom of God?

Shalom grabs hold of fear and wraps itself around it, dissipating fear like it is only an idea and not a real entity that consumes and grips people. Shalom isn’t passive or weak, but stands for no injustice or crime committed against a beloved of God.

By all standards, I should have no shalom, nothing settled or known in my life right now. I’ve left the community that has been my family for four years; left people who know me better than I know myself, left the constructed identity of student, left all sheltering to fully become an adult. Yet God calls and beckons with shalom…

This is my cat.

moar funny pictures

LOLcats has an LOLbuilder…

Wednesday morning

I love getting up early.  I love how it’s quiet, the air is a little cool, and the whole day beckons.

Happy Thursday!

more cat pictures

The Plural of Walrus is…?

Law or Relationship

Do I operate like God cares more about the rules than His people?

R[evol]ution : no it u lover

I used to think following Jesus meant being a revolutionary, but now I think it means being a lover.

And maybe being a lover is revolutionary.