:: whirlwind ::

"we want answers, don't we? we want explanations. we want to know why we suffer like we do. "can somebody please explain this?". and there are times when the only honest, healthy, human thing to possibly do is to shout your question and shake your fist, and rage against the heavens and demand an explanation.

but true wisdom, the kind we find with job (38), the kind that endures, the kind that sustains a person through suffering, that kind of wisdom knows when to speak and when to be silent.

because your story is not over. the last word has not been spoken. and there may be way more going on here than any of us realizes.

so may you be released from always having to understand why everything happens the way that it does. may this freedom open you up to all sorts of new perspectives. and may you have the wisdom to know when to say, 'i spoke once, but now i will say no more.' "

:: psalm 119:169-176 ::

Let my cry come right into your presence, God;
      provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word.
   Give my request your personal attention,
      rescue me on the terms of your promise.
   Let praise cascade off my lips;
      after all, you've taught me the truth about life!
   And let your promises ring from my tongue;
      every order you've given is right.
   Put your hand out and steady me
      since I've chosen to live by your counsel.
   I'm homesick, God, for your salvation;
      I love it when you show yourself!
   Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,
      use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
   And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me!
      I'll recognize the sound of your voice.

:: about death ::

we all have our own ideas about what death might be. for all we know, death could be the greatest good that could happen to us. cicero said, "the life of the dead is placed in the memories of the living". the love we feel in life, keeps people alive beyond their time... anyone who has given love will always live on in another's heart.

:: kick the darkness ::

but nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight - got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight.

:: let something happen o god ::

oh god, let something essential happen to me, something more than interesting or entertaining or thoughtful. let something essential happen to me, something awesome, something real. speak to my condition lord, and change me somewhere inside where it matters. let something happen which is in my real self, o god.

:: you are strong ::

[your name] your sins have been sent away. you know god. you are strong. the word of god lives in you and you have overcome the evil one.

:: love ::

Love is the new Kingdom. It is also the epitome of the Old Testament ethic. The obligation to love extends not only to one's relatives, not only to one's neighbor, but even to one's enemies... [as] the positive reaction of love [is] expressed in deeds.

Love is rooted in patience, kindness, truth, righteousness, hope, compassion and endurance.

Love is an expression of these behaviors. It is a non-judgmental safe place. It says not matter what you are, what you do or what you say, I have your back and I refuse to give up - whether or not there's "change" - because my Father will never give up on me.

Love in a way that's tangible, measurable and unconditional - whether we see our version of "change" happening or not!

It is Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge and my job to love.

Go in love. Go with love. Go because if love, how else will they know our good God? How else will we?

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35)

You are called to be the evidence of God's love in this world.

"Love one another, as I have loved you." (John 15:12)

Lodged in your heart is the power to walk into somebody's life and give them "the courage to be".

"That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth and length, and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you might be filled up to all the fullness of God." (Eph. 3:17-19)

People are touched by the simplest words - the ones that come with humility, truth and love.

"Your message burns in my heart and bones, and I cannot keep silent." (Jer. 20:9)

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it; Love your neighbour as yourself." (Matt. 22:36:39)

Without love, the outward work is of no value; but whatever is done out of love, be it ever so little, is wholly fruitful. For God regards the greatness of love that prompts a man, rather than the greatness of achievement.

God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go.

:: FREE invisibility pants ::

there's no such thing.

you didn't really need invisibility pants anyway. you'd just look like a floating torso. and even if you tried to hide behind some curtains, your feet would give you away.

pointless.

enjoy your real pants & have a nice day.

:: i'm okay if you're okay ::

the feeling of being "okay" does not imply the person has risen above all his faults and emotional problems. It merely implies that he refuses to be paralyzed by them.

:: hope, coffee and melody ::

i've found new hope in the past year or so. things are turning out quiet differently then i expected and i've learned a lot about myself in the process. i guess you could say i've become more comfortable in my own skin and i've found freedom in that. its leading me into new adventures; some of which are more challenging than others, but i have hope. hope that god is who he says he is, hope that he'll be there when i need him. hope in the people around me and in the potential that lies inside of them. hope in pursuing a better world and seeing the kingdom of heaven alive in it. really its just a bit of hope that keeps me going these days, but i think maybe that's all a need right now.