aw snap.

Just replied to an e-mail from a friend.  In my attempts to process through their thoughts I was convicted of my own crap. Here's what I wrote - 


Are you choosing to take the corner when it is evident that you need to get in the ring and wrestle? 

I suck at wrestling. I love putting on my costume, mouth guard, and dolling up WWF style - but when it actually comes to getting in that ring and body slamming my barriers that keep me from experiencing complete unity with Christ, I always find an excuse.

These are the pros and cons of having really great people in your life who hold you accountable for living a life for Jesus.  Arizona makes it easy to not confront my own crap because I have no one to talk to about it.  Michigan surrounds me with great people, who give great hugs, and get my mind going and my heart settled in the realization that I am not playing the game or fighting the fight.

Here we go, New year 2011! 

Acts 2 (a.k.a. East Lansing)

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

So much on my heart right now, so many great conversations and hugs today and yesterday, so much to reflect on, and pray for. The hugs were the best. The fact that I didn't have to plan my conversations in the car before lunch or coffee, the fact that I new I could just run up and squeeze my blessed friends made me so stinkin' happy. I probably recruited 20 people to move to Tucson, and I am hoping the get some visitors out of that.

Blog posts coming about scripture and wise words I've listened to and read the past couple of days, but for tonight I'm journaling the sweet little memories of two splendid days with friends I can share eternity with.

Praise God for Acts 2 communities and a new Campus Corner Michigan State T-Shirt (mine had a HUGE hole in the armpit).

reading.

Currently being tossed around in the purse -

In my never ending quest to learn more about writing, grace, and faith - the author of my favorite book "Cold Tangerines" came out with another collection of stories from her life that are proving to move my heart in challenging but great ways.

"Bittersweet" by Shauna Niequist


I've just finished a 45 hour class (with another 45 next semester!) and my teacher has declared that he is an atheist several times, and often finds ways to incorporate his opinion/belief into all that he is talking about.  Leading me to have the increasing desire to have a sturdier foundation of what I believe, why I believe, and how can I correlate this in an adult conversation?

"There is a God" by Antony Flew

Given as a gift to me in college, I had never gotten around to this - but since I am church shopping at the moment and still trying to figure out where my niche falls between Catholicism and Non-denominational sectors of the chuch.


"They Like Jesus but Not the Church" by Dan Kimball

Bittersweet

"Use what you have, use what the world gives you.  Use the first day of fall: bright flame before winter's deadness; harvest; orange, gold, amber; cool nights and the smell of fire... Use your dreams and your secrets and your neglected, hidden imagination.

Write a love song for someone who will never love you back.  Write a comedy that used to be a tragedy, because you can create any ending you want for your own story. Write a song that says everything you've ever wanted to say to your father, or fill a canvas with all the things you hope you find out that God is, when you meet him someday.

Dance till your feet bleed, sing till you're hoarse, spill aout all your stories like pouring wine into thing-stemmed glasses, the liquid rich and blood-red.  Get up.  Create like you're training for a marathon, methodically, day by day.  Learn your tricks, find a friend, leave the dirty dishes in the sink for a while.  This is your chance to become what you believe deep in your secret heart you might be.  Do the work, learn the skills, and make art, because of what the act of creation will create in you." (Page 163)

[Shauna Niequist]