Compassion

As I sit and watch the images of the devastation in Japan scroll through news feeds I can't seem to bring to mind the reality of such a horrific circumstance. To simply think that countless brothers, mothers, sisters, cousins, and children have become mere numbers lost in a climbing estimate of death tolls is alarming. For many in Japan, life--the busyness, chaos, hurrying here and there-- has stopped. I too, for a moment, have paused. However, I remain conflicted by the reality that in the morning I will awake and continue with my day as normal--a truth that seems unfair when placed against the hardships rising before those survivors who managed to withstand the most terrifying event of their lives.

I soon begin to wonder what our response as believers should be. Already, many have been quick to label this disaster as 'God's punishment', while others have checked if off of their 'End-times Events' outline asserting that things will only get worse. While I think that those responses may be a bit misguided, I am certain that Christ compels us to act more compassionately.

Even within the chaos of this tragic event I am reminded of the love and service of Jesus to those in need. I am reminded of His compassion. His co-suffering with a fallen and needy humanity.

And even now, God is calling us to embody that very characteristic of Christ in an attempt to suffer alongside of those who have been so deeply affected by the tsunami and earthquake. We have been given the opportunity to reach out to our helpless brothers and sisters in Japan whose lives have forever been changed. We are faced with the opportunity to bring the kingdom of God to earth as we act compassionately in service and love to restore the lives of these countless children of God.

We are invited to be apart of God's redeeming work in which despite the circumstance, He is glorified. For we know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him.

May we be reminded that God is present and endures alongside of those who suffer and may our prayers be for peace and comfort to those whose tomorrow may seem less certain than our own.

Trusting.

Yet again, I find myself in the chaos of my life.

I really, seriously, helplessly, emotionally can't put words to what I feel. It's not that I am numb. It's not that I cannot feel--because I certainly can. I can. I can feel and this feeling moves and constricts within me.

Patience. Be still, calm, okay. Be in the now--I tell myself.

Without worry for tomorrow. It will take care of itself.

Strengthened by the hope and glory I have in Him--in this I rest.

Ever-strengthened by the storm, I press on.

Peace.

I think about things a lot. I think about God all day, literally. If I'm honest.

Piece by piece I'm discovering the greater picture of the whole.

Although not yet certain, this masterpiece of beauty I'm slowly uncovering.

Cheesy but true. It's not about knowing all the answers. But rather about catching

just enough of a glimpse of God's love to want to come back for more.

Ah, the lovely love of God.

Heavy are the things that weigh nothing at all.

Yet, heavy enough to weigh down this heart.

Strong are they whose strength can't be measured.

But, rather is proven by their unrelenting pursuit.

This is the Irony of faith. So strange--yet so true.

To let go of that which makes no sense. Blinded, simply trusting.

Willing to fall and not know the fate.

I rest in You and You live in me.

He will not Delay.

Eloquent and lofty words are not always easy to put together.

Sometimes it is the simplicity of words that mean the most.

There are a lot of things that I don't understand.

Even so there are things that don't deserve an explanation.

Though the dark tide swells, it cannot hold me back.

Though the sands shift and the winds blow, I will remain.

My hope is set on the immovable, the unwavering.

Ever-strengthened by the storm, I press on.

i will trust in You.

Love has no boundaries.

Literally. God's love stretches past national borders. It travels over deep oceans and extends to foreign lands. I really enjoy sharing this love. I honestly enjoy serving and loving others. I mentioned a few months ago my trip to Panama over the Holidays. Soo... I've finally decided to share some pictures. God showed me some awesome things there. I had a blast!

I definitely had an awesome time loving and serving the Kuna People. It was great seeing how simple yet satisfying their lives were. They definitely taught me a lot.

No Limits...

Okay, soo It has been said, "Be careful what you ask for, cause you just might get it."
To that I'd reply, "Be careful what you pray for, cause God just might reveal it!"

For the past few months, I've really been yearning to know God more. To discover more of him while fulfilling less of me. What is love? What are we really called to do? How far does God's love stretch? What is love with no boundaries? How does God really feel about certain situations and what does God really desire from me?

Love. This reoccurring theme that God smacks me in the face with over and over. I think about Christ's sacrifice. Jesus really was awesome. Seriously, he was the coolest person ever. And then at times I look at the church, and us so called Christians and all the conflicts we seem to have. How we tend to be so harsh and judgmental. Somebody slips up one time or says something we don't agree with and we begin to question their relationship with God or feel as if they are no longer capable of serving or representing Christ. It's outrageous, and I'm not satisfied with it.

Since I have been little I've heard the statement, "Love the sinner, hate the sin." As remarkably intelligent as it sounds, and although it has good intentions, I think it is seriously flawed. For so long I've agreed with it, at least until God revealed how arrogant I was allowing myself to be. "Love the sinner, hate the sin" actually is not found anywhere in the Bible. Jesus put it this way, "Love the sinner; hate your own sin." Until you've taken care of all the sin in your own life, you have no room to address the sin in others lives. Wow, this was huge for me. And yet, in all of our grossness, filth and sin, God still find's worth and sees potential in our lives despite what others may think.

Seriously, Black Eyed Peas had something right when they wrote their song, Where is the Love?
...And exactly why is this Gospel of Love Diving America? Have we loss connection with the truth of Grace and Mercy that God Offers?

Wow, the Church, I'm often a bit disappointed lately at it's attempts to satisfy itself. To meet the needs within and fail to address the lost and dying. We beat ourselves up over arguments about who is qualified to serve on certain committees or how particular groups should be ran. After all, Church should be about lifting one another up, living in fellowship and focused solely on giving to the poor, and loving the lost.

Okay, so it probably seems like I'm venting, and although I may be, I feel like God is allowing me to see what really matters and what true Christianity is about. It isn't governed by particular rules. It does not stumble or avoid what it does not understand nor is comfortable with. Love truly has no bounds. Absolutely "Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ."

God is huge and his love, immeasurable. It has no limits. It is patient and kind. It does not envy. It does not boast and is not proud. It reaches to the lost and clothes the poor.
This is the love that I want and the love that I'm commanded to give.

Through all this, I'm learning to shift my prayers from.. "God meet this need in my life" or "Show me who I should date so that I can be satisfied" or "God allow me to have a comfortable and stress-free week" to "God give me a heart for the afflicted and defenseless" or "God allow me to put your desires above mine"or "God burden my heart for the needy".

God desires our love. He wants us to be satisfied with Him and Him with us. He wants us to understand that he loves all people and desires that we live a life that brings glory to Him. It is so complicatedly simple.

God is huge. Bigger than the issues we face and the complexities we can't understand. His love limitless, it knows... no boundaries.

"I wanna be your hands and feet. I wanna be your voice every time I speak. I wanna run to the ones in need, In the name of Jesus. I wanna give my life away, all for your kingdoms sake. Shine a light in the darkest place, In the name of Jesus." --Fee

A Difference.

"If You're really inside changing my life You would shine, You would be evident. There's a difference."

"And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure... By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil; whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." 1 John 3:3 & 10

Is it evident to those around me, that my actions emulate a life of Hope that is placed in Christ?

I am certain that if my life is centered around Christ, it would be evident.
It would be evident because of the righteousness I have obtained through faith. It would be evident because of the love I have for my brother. It would be evident because of the selflessness and humility that I display through the example of putting others before myself. My joy, hope, peace, patience, and satisfaction in Christ alone would make it evident.
And yet at times, in actuality, I feel that its not--evident.

When I begin to question this dilemma, I quickly realize that it revolves around my understanding of love. I am fully aware of Christ's presence--His living presence, inside of me. I am aware because I experience His grace and love. It is when I fail to completely embrace this idea of love that his presence, although it does exist inside of me, is not evident. It is when I fail to realize that his love isn't fully encompassed by a feeling but demonstrated through action.

It is God's presence that ignites this comforting feeling of love that demands action. This move of action that demonstrates His presence. Action that shows concern for a brother, and service to the needy. Action that provides evidence--evidence indicating the presence of Christ.

I pray that my actions would be evidence for Christ's presence inside me. I pray that not only would I be satisfied with my knowledge of Him living in me, but that I would be compelled to act in love and allow others to witness his presence in my life as well.


God is huge and awesome. It is time that his presence in us is evident by our actions for Him.
I'm ready to move big for God.

By the way, I went cloud hopping on Saturday. It was cool. You should check out the pics.

"The same power that conquered the grave, Lives in me."