Through the Glass Dimly

“The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located  will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing.   These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we  really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself they turn into dumb  idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers.  For they are not the thing itself; they   are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.”  ―  C.S. Lewis ,  The Weight of Glory As humans we become obsessed with "What our life is supposed to look like". We imagine our lives will be beautiful and fragrant... and when it's not what we expected... we feel heart broken... or when it is more than what we could have hoped for... It's beauty becomes an idol... When our longings become self focused... the danger...

How to lose 15 pounds in January without even hitting the gym! Reorganizing your life, and the containers you MUST HAVE! How to be a better you in 2016..... The list goes on and on and we are absolutely inundated with it. And you know what?! I tend to just nod in agreement and say, "Yes. I DO need a different body in 2016." Or "Yes. I DO need to reorganize my house." Or "Yes! I'm not good enough yet for 2016." I was at a New Year's Eve party last night and I was feeling a little defeated. I hadn't yet purchased that gym membership (we laugh at those people who have to buy gym memberships as soon as January hits... but I'm being totally serious here)... I left my kitchen a complete disaster in order to make a perfect appetizer to share with our friends... pots everywhere, dishes piling high in the sink... Crafts all over the kitchen table... toys all over the living room floor... And when I arrived at that party and slid through the do...

"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.  But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.  "But I say to you who hear,   Love your enemies , do good to those who hate you ,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.    To one who strikes you on th...

We live in much darkness. The violence of men killing police officers, police officers killing men.... the violence of Christians being beheaded because they won't renounce their faith. Babies being thrown into garbage cans....  Not only that but I've recently witnessed loved ones being attacked by friends. Backstabbing runs rampant. Deep wounds to the heart. Lives ripped apart because of pride and vanity. All kinds of wickedness. I've been thinking a lot about this hope that I have... The hope of heaven. And not only the hope of heaven and that perfect new heaven and new earth where there will be no more crying, no more death, no pain... but the fact that the Lord promises to keep me safe until that day. Whatever pain I feel, whatever struggle I bear, whatever sorrows I witness, I know I am protected by a good God who loves me and has planned all things to work together for my good, and for his glory. Too often we gaze upon our trouble, or on the weight ...

SIN It's a big word. The word sin makes us think about murderers, rapists, thieves... you know.. the big stuff. The stuff those people "bent" toward evil do... Those people you have always known with that wild and crazy look in their eye.  That neighbor kid who points his finger at you and then with crazy in his eye "shoots" the "gun" and blows it, and walks off.. You know the one... the kid who you are sure is going to grow up to have some problems socially because of his angry heart... The one kid you don't want your kid hanging out with because you are unsure of the character of that particular child. In fact you are pretty sure that kid is going to grow up to be some sort of bad guy. But what about the other stuff... The white lies... the little bit of gossip here and there... Neglecting to do the thing you know is right, and doing the wrong thing instead...  There is evil in all of our hearts, and it may feel small. Fa...

  "Man's eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own honour, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified to behold the glory of the Lord. It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, that there may be room for God to be exalted; and this is the reason why He bringeth His people ofttimes into straits and difficulties, that, being made conscious of their own folly and weakness, they may be fitted to behold the majesty of God when He comes forth to work their deliverance."--Spurgeon How true it is that we are so prideful that we put ourselves on an equal playing field with the God who created the heavens and the earth. We think we have the power to do so much. Yet we can do so little. Looking back I can see the hand of God moving in such GREAT and majestic ways.  Last night I read my prayer journal from 2004. This was a really tough time in my life as a young adult, and I was brought so close to God during this ti...

Years ago... back in the ol' university days, when time was a blanket and I was buried underneath it not knowing that this kind of time  would not be forever. This was the kind of time that I was able to sit and drink coffee and no one would bother me as I spent hours delving into the scripture and writing in my prayer journal.  I thought this would be a normal occurence in my life, and for the REST of my life. Little did I know that building a business, and having two beautiful little girls, all within the course of 3 years would completely alter my perception of time.  To be honest, the majority of my time "spent with God" is just in the mundane moments of day to day. My conversations with God start in the midst of cracking an egg into a bowl. Adding a splash of milk. Praying for grace.  I turn on the shower and reach for the soap. The filth and grime of summer feet and a central air conditioning system that barely works reminds me of that filth and gr...