musical candy

Because I'm too unfocused lately to sit down and write anything substantial, I'll just share some music y'all should check out these days:

Adele's new album, 21. My favorite songs: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, & One & Only (In fact, I'm dying to see someone on next season's So You Think You Can Dance do a contemporary routine to One & Only--I can see it in my head, but unfortunately I am not a contemporary dancer, so I cannot make it happen myself.)

Dave Moisan's debut album, Ungravity Pt. 1 - Dave's a friend here in Louisville who is incredibly talented, and he just released the first part of his debut album in a 3-song EP. It's on iTunes & Amazon. Check it out, seriously. It'll make you want summer here right now. Here's his FB page.

A Lion Named Roar's album Said & Done - I'm new to these guys...also from Louisville. I went to hear Dave Moisan live last week and became a fan of these guys after they performed before Dave. They've also got a great cover of Bruno Mars' song Grenade that you should check out. Here's their FB page.

The Civil Wars' album Barton Hollow - This is their debut album, but you'd never know it. Their insane harmonies sound like The Civil Wars (Joy Williams & John Paul White) have been making music together for decades, but they've only just begun. You would recognize songs they've written as solo songwriters & artists in the past (In fact, Joy Williams was quite the Christian solo artist when I was in high school...loved her then!), but this stuff will blow you away. If you want to hear it before you buy it, you can stream it free here. Trust me, you'll want to buy it. I'm obsessed.

Gateway Worship - God Be Praised - Really love Kari Jobe & pretty much anything she does, so her songs on here are fantastic. Also I am constantly reminding myself of the truth in the song the song Victory on this album.

I'm also experiencing a big resurgence of these not-so-new artists/albums that I've loved for a long time:

-old school Caedmon's Call - specifically the 40 Acres album.

-Needtobreathe - everything. Love all of their music. I don't think there's one song I don't like.

-Sara Bareilles - some of her live stuff - specifically her cover of Sittin On the Dock of the Bay...love it. (apparently so do a million American Idol contestants, b/c everyone seems to sing it during audition weeks...)

-Lady Antebellum - I just cannot get enough of their fun songs sometimes.

-Manafest - I'm new to these guys. Normally I don't listen to much from the genre of Christian music, but I loved the song Avalanche when I heard it on the radio, and I do enjoy their hip-hop feel. Maybe they're new? Maybe they're not? Either way, I'm new to their music...I like it.

10-4 good buddy...

Today is one of those days when I've felt bogged down in my own sin. I'm wallowing around in this pool of myself, and I keep spitting out more of this substance I'm already drowning in called pride. And as soon as I open my mouth to speak once more, I hear these prideful things come out of my mouth and even more, my heart.

But I'm thankful that I'm aware.

There are days when I don't think about it, don't realize it, and I just keep going about my life that's centered around me, until I find myself drowning in moments like this. There was one moment today when someone made a small comment to me that made me evaluate my heart and ask "Why on earth did you say that?" or "Why did you do that?"

I forget. Childishly, I just spout out words and wish I could vacuum them back up. It's messy being prideful.

Our vision becomes so cloudy in this state of mind and heart. A couple weeks ago in planning a girls' retreat I did some studies on purity and having an undivided heart, and my giant Bible Dictionary told me this: "The reward of the undivided heart is the vision of God." It also said this: "no vision of God can come to the heart that is unclean because it is out of harmony with the nature and character of God." Needless to say, I could be seeing a little more of God these days, but I've been wearing these shades of pride and arrogance that are hindering my view of Him.

Oddly, earlier this week I read this verse: "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." -Psalm 10:4. I read it on Sunday night, and clearly I forgot about it. Until today.

Today I recognized my pride again, and I found Psalm 10:4 again while trying to combat it. My cheesy side also recognized that the scripture is chapter 10, verse 4, and I immediately thought about walkie-talkies and the good ol' standby police code "10-4." That's instantly what I thought of when I recognized the verse. I felt like it was God's voice coming through saying: "Hey! Make room for me! Stop thinking about yourself. Stop thinking you're better than anyone else. Think about me instead!" Call it crazy, cheesy, or creative...take your pick.

The police term 10-4 means that a message has been acknowledged, received, or affirmed. Today, this was the message I needed to hear, loud and clear, coming through. Thankfully, I got the message. I'll do what I can to pray away my pride, to tear down those walls, and to clear out my view of Him so that it's no longer cloudy. So, God, thanks for the message of Your word today and for the vision of You. 10-4 good buddy...

10-4.

fashionABLE scarves

As you can see from my post below, I've got Christmas on the brain already. From brainstorming gift ideas to downloading the new Dave Barnes Christmas album, I'm feeling the spirit already. I'm halfway tempted to put up my tree just so I can see all the sparkly ornaments in my living room. :)

However, I've gotta post this as an option for Christmas gifts. Check out this video:



I love gifts with meaning, and this is a great opportunity to give someone something that has actually helped to change a life. I found out about these great scarves that women in Ethiopia are making, and by purchasing these, you could be helping support their freedom and their life--in the truest sense of life. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, consider encouraging the life and hope these women in Ethiopia have found through Jesus by purchasing one of the scarves (named after the women) as a Christmas gift!

If you know me, you might just be getting one yourself this Christmas...so pretend to be surprised!

The Great Ornament Exchange

Christmas time is coming!!! I know so many people who are reluctant to agree that 'tis the season until after Thanksgiving, but I disagree. Thanksgiving is just a hurdle to get through until we can begin the magical feeling that comes with Christmas. While I hate winter and the cold darkness that comes with it, Christmas time is, strangely, the light in the midst of that darkness.

And because one of the things that brings about that light to me is my sparkly, colorful, pretty Christmas tree carefully decorated with ornaments, I'm referring you to my friend Kate Andre's blog for her 2nd Great Ornament Exchange. I participated in her ornament exchange in 2008 and received TWO beautiful ornaments from the person who had my name, and I loved picking out an ornament for the person whose name I had. If you love ornaments, you should participate. Go to her blog post about it here or click on the picture above & email her if you want to be a part of it!

the tension

So, I've had that lump in my throat all day at Catalyst...the kind that could easily turn into weeping if I were alone, and the kind that only remains a lump through which no words can escape and only a few tears make their way out of my eyes. The Spirit is moving. I'm moved. Where? How? I'm still not even sure.

After hearing a bit about narcissism a little today, I relate in this very moment reflecting on the day at Catalyst, because there's a tension in me. One part wants to get things out, written words, for my own good, and then the other part says "why do you need to put that on your blog? Is it useful for building anyone up? Is it really helping anything being at a worldwide web address rather than just inside your head or heart?"

That tension is so meager in comparison with the tension between self and Spirit, pride and humility, fear and trust, insecurity and belonging. If you were to put each of those on opposites ends of a few ropes, I'd find myself in the middle, racing around among them all, rope to rope. But as the theme of Catalyst this year captures, "the tension is good." That, it is.

In this place in the middle it seems we're more reliant on the Spirit, rather than ourselves, and that's exactly where I need to be. So while I have no clear answers for my life in any areas where there are question marks, this much I know: follow the Spirit.

Listen.
Trust.
Surrender.
Follow.

There is no other answer.

13 days...

So...I'm really terrible at writing lately, but I do need to share this.

There are 13 days left to buy tickets for an upcoming event that is very near & dear to my heart for a ministry that is very near & dear to my heart: The Scarlet Hope Gala - An Evening of Hope.

On Friday, Oct. 1st, we're having a formal night at The Grand theater in downtown New Albany, IN that will include dinner, a silent auction, some great speakers, and a documentary about the life of a dancer. If you're not familiar with the ministry of Scarlet Hope, please check out this post I wrote awhile back or go to the Scarlet Hope website. We are simply taking the light of Jesus Christ into the darkness that is the sex industry in Louisville, KY. This requires some resources, and we're realizing as more and more girls are wanting to leave the industry that we need more money to help them take the next step.

This Gala isn't only a formal evening of fun, but it's truly an investment in this ministry. If you've got the night free, an old dress or suit to put on, and $75 to spare for a ticket, please join us! I'd love to have friends & family here to support this ministry for the evening--even if you make it a weekend trip to Louisville! If you're interested, please contact me ASAP or go to www.scarlethope.org to purchase tickets online.

If you can't attend, please pray for this event and for those who will be attending. Pray that it will be successful in sharing the word about the ministry to others in the Louisville/Southern Indiana area so that they can not only invest financially but prayerfully & with servant hearts as a part of this ministry.

Also, just as a side note that is not at all a minor detail: we celebrated with one dancer this past weekend as she was baptized! She is on fire for Christ right now, and honestly, it's teaching me that I've lost a passion for God's Word that she seems to have. Such a great reminder to those of us who have been believers for a long time...I'm humbled by her passion & reminded of my own complacency. Praise God with us for one more life changed...she is one of at least 3 within the past 2 months or so who have accepted Christ or rededicated their lives to Christ!

Bittersweet winner

Congrats to Sheri for winning the copy of Bittersweet!!! I drew your name first! :)

For the rest of you, if I had more $$, I'd buy you all a copy and send you one as well!!!

Bittersweet

I have a deep, deep love for Ghirardelli’s dark chocolate squares with caramel. There’s something about that little square (much too small, if you ask me) that brings bliss to the very moment I’m inhaling it…each bite cracking the outer shell until the sweet caramel comes oozing out the edges. In that instant dark chocolate meets caramel, and bitter meets sweet. Shauna Niequist's newest release, appropriately titled Bittersweet, is all about those moments in life when bitter and sweet embrace.

Just as I consume those Ghirardelli squares, I have devoured and savored every bite of Bittersweet. Shauna’s openness and honesty about loss and change and strain in her life make me feel like I’ve joined her at her amazing Crate & Barrel dining room table eating risotto and warm crusty bread partnered with a glass of sparkling wine. I find myself laughing out loud, tearing up, and in other moments wanting to shout out “ME TOO!”

Shauna writes with vulnerability about real, raw events in her life: tension in her marriage, traumatic miscarriages that left her feeling empty, and seasons that felt cold, lonely, and disorienting. Yet out of that vulnerability she exposes a deep sense of grace and gratitude for what has come through the cloudy seasons. Shauna articulates the blessing that comes after, even amidst, the bitter moments. She writes, “When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow.” Also, “the question is not, will my life be easy or will my heart break? But rather, when my heart breaks, will I choose to grow?”

Recently I keep finding the idea of a “beautiful exchange” in an assortment of channels: the new Hillsong album, lyrics to other songs, and now Shauna’s words in this literary treasure. They all point back to the beautiful exchange that IS the gospel. There’s a line on singer/songwriter Audrey Assad’s new album that says, “I’ve watched you carve streets of gold from the sin and gravel. I gave you brokenness; you gave me innocence, and now this road leads to glory.” There’s something about that line and Shauna’s words and my life that all string together like a handcrafted necklace I’d like to wear around, proudly displaying the grace and truth and forgiveness and growth and redemption that have become evident in my life through each change, each heartbreak, each loss.

Shauna writes that,

We really do need both the bitter and the sweet, and that a life of nothing but sweetness rots both your teeth and your soul. Bitter is what makes us strong, what forces us to push through, what helps us earn the lines on our faces and the calluses on our hands. Sweet is nice enough, but bittersweet is beautiful, nuanced, full of depth and complexity. Bittersweet is courageous, gutsy, earthy.

They say that dark chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, is better for you anyway. So it is with life.

While some of my own experiences haven’t been easy, they’ve made me become more deeply rooted, more sure of who God is. I’d give anything for my dad to be alive again, and I hate that my heart is afraid to love and be loved, and I hate that I’m sometimes paralyzed by irrational fears like the phobia of throwing up. Different hurts, pains, sins, and fears in my life can drown you if you let them, but they can also color in the waters that you’re wading through. God might not part the ocean for you to walk through on dry land, but He will be there to pick you up when you’ve been anchored by a difficult season.

Our stories—in good seasons and in bad—tell the greater story of who God is. When the bitter mixes in with the sweet, the gospel comes alive again in the reality of death and rebirth for humankind. Bittersweet is a refreshingly candid way that Shauna shares with her readers that greater story of hope. Her essays will inspire and confront you, give you hope in the darkness, and prove that beauty can come out of disarray.

Chances are good you’ll find very few writers like Shauna with whom you’ll resonate so closely. She’ll leave you hungry not only for food with her relentless culinary passion, but with each essay you’ll be hungry for more of her authentic and well-threaded words. If you’re new to Shauna’s writing, I’d highly suggest you go ahead and just order both of her books, Cold Tangerines and this new release, Bittersweet. You might as well, because you’ll get free shipping with orders over $25 on Amazon anyway, right? And I promise you’ll thank me later, but no need to send notes.

Also, Zondervan is allowing me to choose a winner to receive a free copy of Bittersweet. So here’s how I’m deciding: post a comment (include your email address) with your favorite song lyric—one that’s speaking to you, one that makes you laugh, one that tells your story—and I’ll put all the names in a hat and choose randomly. (If you don’t have a resonating song lyric right now, it’s ok!) I’ll contact you for your address if you’re the winner, and Zondervan will mail you your free book!

With all of that said, I plead with you for your own good, you must read this book. It’s as necessary as a Ghirardelli dark chocolate square with caramel at the end of a long day!

Just to entice you, click on this picture:

Scarlet Hope

I've got a lot of things on my mind lately concerning the Holy Spirit, especially after reading Frances Chan's book Forgotten God. But I'm not even sure where I'd begin sharing some of that, so I'm going somewhere else with this post...because I feel like the Spirit's leading that way anyway, and it's heavy on my heart.

Some of you know I've been serving with a ministry here in Louisville called Scarlet Hope. We are reaching out to women in the sex industry to share with them the love of Jesus...not just to see them leave their job, but more importantly to see the gospel transform their lives entirely. If they leave the sex industry, obviously that's a win.

Right now we're aware of numerous girls who are looking for other jobs and are desperate to leave the industry and find work elsewhere. But it's not so easy: some have felonies against them, some have drug & alcohol addictions, and needless to say, many employers just won't hire someone with stripping on their resume. It's just not easy.

There is so much that goes into seeing these girls' lives get turned around. Obviously, it starts with Jesus. But there are realistic needs with many of them needing rehab from drug use, counseling to cope with issues of rape & abuse, housing, food, childcare, education, and the list goes on and on... The approximate cost for helping a girl leave the industry is about $5,000. And we're just a team of girls who are trying to love these dancers...

The more girls that go into the clubs on our team, the more relationships that are built, and the more we're becoming aware of girls who want to leave the industry. We're in desperate need of funding to assist these girls in changing their lives. We need partners who can fund this ministry, people to create/find jobs or employers that will hire our girls, someone who can write grants as a passionate partner with this ministry. I'm writing because this is heavy on my heart today after going into the clubs last night, and we're getting to the point where it's almost overwhelming the needs we're seeing.

I don't even know how many people read this, but I feel like the Holy Spirit is asking me to write and share about this ministry. There are so many ways God is working through Scarlet Hope right now, and we're seeking His wisdom as we follow His lead in the clubs and in our friendships with the girls.

I left last night heartbroken. Weekly I notice these little menus in plastic stands that sit on the tables displaying options from a $15 lap dance ranging to a $250 VIP room. I hate that these girls' bodies are listed like a daily special at a restaurant, and I hate that there is a monetary value placed on them. And they deal with rejection, on top of that, when men turn them down for just a $15 dance. I just want them to realize that they're valued so much more than that...that Jesus gave His life for them, and there's no monetary cost that can show how much they're worth.

If you're reading this, please pray for the girls we encounter in the clubs each week. I can't share specifics here, but trust me when I say that they have more hurt and pain in their lives than many of us can imagine. Please pray on Thursday nights as we literally go into the darkness. Pray for people to give and partner with this ministry in the ways we need. Pray for opportunities to share about Jesus with them, and pray for open hearts and ears to hear.

If there is any way you'd like to find out more about the ministry, donate, find other ways to help, or even start a similar ministry in your city, check out www.scarlethope.org.

retreating

I'm spending this week on a team retreat in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, TN with the rest of the student ministry team at Southeast. Above is our view from the cabin. It's pretty incredible having meetings overlooking that! We're planning, brainstorming, vision-casting, dreaming, scheduling, laughing, resting, and renewing. It's much needed for everyone on this trip (there are 16 of us).

While I'd love to share more, I just have to say that I had some great moments today sitting on a big rock in the middle of some rushing waters underneath me. I spent some much needed time in the Word, reflected on the weight and responsibility of ministry, and just prayed for vision in my own life.

For a few moments I paused, noticing the frigid waters and how swiftly they were moving. Compelled by a force from somewhere beyond, they were unstoppable, moving from one source to another. No rock, no stone of any size can hinder their current, and I couldn't help but pray the same for my life.

I pray that I will be like these swift waters, rushing toward the Source of all things...seeking only to know Him, being stopped or swayed by nothing. Sometimes I get stopped up on little rocks here and there, wondering where to go next, how to get there, assessing every little move, and I just felt the Holy Spirit saying today "Just keep moving!" I know we all get caught up by distractions, valid fears, problems, and situations in our lives that slow our current down, but I pray we'll be unstoppable. There is a force behind us, the power of the Holy Spirit, that moves us toward a goal-a Kingdom, actually-that is worth moving for.

I pray we'll move.

Springtime makes me want to do cartwheels.

"Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime." -Martin Luther

This makes me happy.
And not only happy, but joyful.

I pray we won't get lost in Easter eggs and baskets this year but that we'll keep the newness of life in Christ and His life in us alive.

(Also, I realize I haven't written much in a long time, nor do I write very often lately. I'd like to say that will change, but I can't make any promises. I do hope to write/share pics from my recent trip to the D.R., but it will be a few days.)

For now, I'm going to go run around outside. Literally. Because it's that beautiful out there.

sacred moments in the Psalms

I've been moved by the Psalms these days. As a lover of songs and words and music, the Psalms have always been my favorite. But it's like I just rediscovered their beauty again recently.

My church, Sojourn, has been going through the Old Testament for over a year, and they just finished up with the Psalms. Sunday morning I had some extra time before the 11:15 service (a rarity, this is, because I typically sleep as late as possible!), so I sat and read through some random Psalms to sort of "prepare my heart" for the morning. Sitting in my living room, I read them out loud to myself.

When I was reading one of them (I actually don't remember which Psalm), something moved me...I found my eyes actually welling up with a few tears, and I was a little choked up as I read out loud to myself. I'm not sure that had ever happened to me before. Typically I've relied on experiences to move me emotionally, and I was so moved by the Word alone that it surprised me, caught me completely empty-handed & unprepared. It was only for a few seconds, mind you, but I was moved, nonetheless. I don't discount the Holy Spirit's power at work in the Word.

At the worship time at Sojourn Gathered that morning, all the parents were asked to retrieve their kids from childrens church and bring them in to worship with us. After all, children looove to sing and dance, and they can teach us how to do it with an undignified heart. We worshiped and sang about how "He turned our mourning into dancing," and I was moved again. I remembered how somehow 3 years ago, even in the midst of mourning the loss of my Dad, I somehow can still find hope and joy in this life. And again, I think I held back a few tears while I was singing. The kiddos were rejoicing beautifully, some clueless why they were in the midst of boring adults, but they participated all the same. It was another beautiful moment in the Psalms.

This morning, I was reading Psalm 33, and yet again found such great beauty in this: the same God whose hands arranged the starry skies and could gather all the waters of the seas into jars also forms our hearts! I also notice now the word "forms" is in present tense rather than past. He is still forming our hearts. This is encouraging to me. (If anyone out there is a Hebrew scholar, I'd actually love to know if this is true in the original Hebrew writing...unfortunately I didn't take Hebrew in Bible College...)

I thought I'd simply share Psalm 33 and hope that you are moved by the beauty of the God who deserves all our praise. May we put our hope in Him.

¹ Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

² Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

³ Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

⁴ For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

⁵ The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love.

⁶ By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

⁸ Let all the earth fear the LORD;
let all the people of the world revere him.

⁹ For he spoke, and it came to be;
he commanded, and it stood firm.

¹⁰ The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

¹¹ But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for his inheritance.

¹³ From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

¹⁴ from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

¹⁵ he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

¹⁶ No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

¹⁷ A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

¹⁸ But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

¹⁹ to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

²² May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

"The story takes care of the rest..."

I had to stop reading and get these words out in front of me.

I just started to read Donald Miller's A Million Miles in a Thousand Years a few days ago, and I'm already halfway through it. If I'd really wanted to, I could have finished it by now. I just like to read a little more slowly, almost as if to savor the words, when I really like a book. His words are an easy read, and mostly because he's simply telling a story about telling your story. He's telling his story and figuring out how to live his story. Have I said story enough?

I had to stop and think about my life for a moment when I read these words:

"...the story is what changes the character, not the inciting incident."
"The inciting incident is how you get them to do something," Ben said. "It's the doorway through which they can't return, you know. The story takes care of the rest."

"Robert McKee says humans naturally seek comfort and stability. Without an inciting incident that disrupts their comfort, they won't enter into a story. They have to get fired from their job or be forced to sign up for a marathon. A ring has to be purchased. A home has to be sold. The character has to jump into the story, into the discomfort and the fear, otherwise the story will never happen."

I'm still processing how I'm living out my story, or God's story, really. Half the time I'm not sure how I'm making the choices I'm making, sometimes aware, sometimes unaware, and I'm probably not seeking the great Writer's vision for the story nearly enough. I can't imagine His frustration with us, His characters, as we go our own ways and take the plot wherever we wish.

In the past year, however, He wrote into my story an inciting incident that has clearly changed the story for me. Maybe a series of inciting incidents... (I must first clarify that Miller's filmwriting friends define this "inciting incident" as some kind of "explosion" in the character's life.) These incidents in my own life may not have been a major explosion, but they were small enough contributors to the fire--emotional breakdowns, conversations that left me in tears, a feeling of being unfulfilled, ungodly discontentment, and very obviously doors that closed and opened at just the right times. Each of these was its own match that lit the fire of urgency in me to do something.

My life had reached a plateau, in a way. I was ready for a next step, and now looking back, these incidents led me to a choice: to move my entire life, all by myself, to Louisville. So I did it. It was my "doorway through which I couldn't return." I'm so unbelievably thankful I walked through that doorway.

My life, the story, God's story, is taking shape more and more each day. I'm so much more content. Circumstances are no longer stealing my joy. I love life. And while it is never perfect, I'm fulfilled by His promises and a community that is ever-growing me in my walk with Him. Never before had I imagined I'd be where I am...and I'm thankful.

I look forward to living out how this story is written. I hope to be a participatory character rather than one who sits around doing nothing. I've jumped into discomfort, into newness, into fear. And I've found that it's a good place. So I think I'll keep jumping in.

Help Heal Haiti...

So hard to believe I took this photo almost 7 years ago of the Presidential Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and today it looks like this:

I'm not even completely sure what to pray today after seeing these pictures, but if it's not very real to you, these pictures will make it that way. I just keep thinking about how shameful it is for us as Americans, as Christians, as humans to overlook great need until a time of devastation or tragedy hits. And then when it does, we focus our attention on it again and become people of prayer once more. When the shock value wears off, we go back to our normal lives and forget again...until another tragedy strikes.

Columbine was this way.
September 11th.
the VA Tech shooting.
Hurricane Katrina.
personal loss or the loss of someone else's loved one...

We forget how much sorrow lives on unless we're closely connected to it.

In a mass email from Keren Dongo, the Community Engagement Manager for the ONE.org campaign, I was struck with the reality of these words:

Haiti’s long struggle against poverty is now exacerbated, its needs now magnified, and the vulnerability of the Haitian people more greatly exposed.

This is what is most heartbreaking of all. Haiti is a country whose needs were more desperate than we could ever imagine, and now they are magnified. The people's vulnerability is exposed by the news stories, cameras flashing, and Americans who thrive on the story itself. Those who were already hurting and in great need are at a point of desperation.

I'm thankful we serve a God who offers forgiveness. I've been so convicted today that my heart has become hardened to the needs of the world until tragedy strikes. Awareness really is the first step, but there must be steps taken beyond that. Join me, if you will, in pleading for forgiveness for our selfish, forgetful hearts, and in praying that the Lord's sovereignty be made known around the world because of this tragedy.

He is sovereign.
He will heal.
He offers hope.
And He can use us to be vessels of that hope.

Will you carry it?

If you're looking for a tangible way to help, there are a million ways to do so. But here are a few organizations that you can check out for starters:
GO Ministries
Compassion International
World Vision
Haitian Christian Outreach (this is the organization through which I went to Port-au-Prince in 2002)
Haitian Christian Mission
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission
Help Heal Haiti

10 Words for 2010...

"For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."
~T.S. Eliot
(via Christine's blog...loved the quote so much I had to use it!)

There are a million things I want to do in 2010. Projects I want to start and finish, accomplishments I'd like to make, relationships I want to build upon, decisions I hope to make, dreams I want to dream, and more discoveries to make. But aside from those "things" or "goals" there are virtues or qualities I've decided to make my "10 Words for 2010."

My friend Faith and I spent some time reflecting upon the past year and looking forward to this new year with hope for growth in this new year. We had a conversation about how Benjamin Franklin lived by 13 virtues, so we decided to choose 10 words for 2010. So as I look forward with great motivation, I'm choosing these words.

This is who I hope to be, how I hope to live:

Courageous
Committed
Driven
Creative
Finisher
Resilient
Patient
Reverent
Prayerful
Decisive

Winter Snow

This is one of the simplest, most beautiful songs I've heard in a long time. I need to hear songs like these more often. I need these words. I need to hear the still, soft voice of the Lord singing through an audible voice like Audrey Assad's. Songs like this stop me in my tracks, force me to forget my distractions, and grab onto my heart until I'm completely consumed with their brilliance.

From each singular piano note to the smooth vocals and soft harmonies, this song makes you feel like you're sitting in your windowsill wrapped up in a blanket, mug of hot chocolate in hand, watching mysterious flakes of white fall into the night. The way that snowflakes fall so simply, quietly, beautifully, gracefully...describes so wonderfully the way Jesus arrived. So, as we wait in this season of Advent, remember Him in this way. Powerful, All-Knowing, Ever-Present, Completely Loving, Righteous, Perfect, Complex...but simple.

I beg you. Listen.

Winter Snow

Could've come like a mighty storm
With all the strength of a hurricane
You could've come like a forest fire
With the power of heaven in Your flame

But You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave
Or in an ocean to ravage our hearts
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we've scarred

But You came like a winter snow
(Yes, You did)
You were quiet
You were soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Oh, no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning
No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind
It was still
It was small
It was hidden

You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Falling
(Oh, yeah)
To the earth below
You came falling
From the sky in the night

To the earth below

I'm still alive.

Just a promise of things to come...
I am alive. I will write again. Someday soon...

outside these doors

If I've learned anything about myself lately it's that my heart is growing more passionate for the people who might never step inside the doors of the church. I'm quickly and easily frustrated by Christians and churches who simply develop and maintain programming or products that aren't reaching outward. I realize there are organizations and ministries that are needed to encourage and edify those already a part of the church, but I have a hard time ignoring the call to go outside of that to reach those who would otherwise not know Him and know Life and Love. I also realize that my frustration takes me nowhere fast, and I'd like to avoid complacency if at all possible.

When I first moved to Louisville someone started telling me about a ministry I hadn't heard of before that piqued my interest. I found out more about it shortly thereafter, and just a couple weeks ago jumped on board with a ministry here called Scarlet Hope. Some women in the area had a passion to reach out to women in the sex industry who are mostly found stuck in a profession that leaves them less than satisfied and fulfilled. They had a passion to show these women the unconditional, fulfilling love of Christ that is offered to them even when they think they might not deserve it.

(As a sidenote, I encourage you to check out the Scarlet Hope website, especially the blog section, to find out more about what God is doing in a place that might not otherwise see or experience His hope. I can only share with you the details that are on the website, for obvious reasons, but I'd love for you to join in and pray for this and other ministries of the Church (big C) that happen outside of the church (little c).)

Just the other day I was at Catalyst conference in Atlanta, GA (which was awesome, by the way) and had the privilege of listening to so many great speakers inspire church leaders. I might need to share some of the great stuff I heard there another time, but while I was there I did happen to read the first two sentences on the back of Rob Bell's book Jesus Wants to Save Christians and was immediately struck by these words:

There is a church not too far from us that recently added a $25 million addition to their building. Our local newspaper ran a front-page story not too long ago about a study revealing that one in five people in our city lives in poverty.

How can any Church leader read that and not feel like you've been stabbed in the chest? I read that, and as an employee at a church of about 18,000 people that has utilized its resources for countless multimillion dollar buildings, I had to take a second to question "How DO we balance those numbers?" What are we doing to eradicate poverty in our city? What are we doing to build clean water wells around the world? What are we doing to encourage people to simply sponsor Compassion or World Vision children for $38/month? What about the 143 million children around the world who are orphans? Are we doing anything to change these numbers at all?

It's not about the numbers. Or is it? Because there are individual lives represented in those numbers. On both the giving and receiving end. And typically, both the giver and receiver end up being blessed. I watched at Catalyst as one African man had the opportunity to meet his Compassion Int'l. sponsor who had turned his life around just by sending money and letters to him each month for several years. The young man is now a student at Moody Bible Institute preparing to know the Word so he can go back to Kenya and hopefully do the same thing that was done for him. It is a good reminder that there are real people behind the numbers we often see in lists of statistics.

Just yesterday I was listening to a sermon from Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY (about which I've written several times...God is doing some cool things through this church), and I was yet again motivated by stories of regular people--even 8 years olds--who made a difference just by doing things like making cookies for international students on the campus of UK at Christmas. Or what about the little boy who saw his classmate with a tattered coat shivering on the playground at school and decided to go around his neighborhood and ask for loose change, then raising $160 to buy a brand new coat for his classmate? Or the man who left a $1000 tip for his waitress at Waffle House that ended up in the hands of a single mom struggling to make ends meet... All of these stories are just people--real people--reaching out to other people outside the doors of the church. And you know what it led to? Those people eventually walked inside the doors of the church.

But it wasn't that they found hope just inside the doors. They were told about this hope at the Waffle House, at the playground, on the campus of UK. They're told about hope in letters sent halfway across the world. They find out about hope in a strip club. Hope can be shared in places you'd never imagine.

There is a world outside of our clean buildings that is in dire need of this hope we claim to have in Christ. People outside the doors of the church are less likely to find out about it unless we go to them. Will you go with me to take it there?

currently...

thinking: It has been way too long since I've written anything on here...and that no one probably reads it anymore!

smelling: Germ-X on my hands...the smell of which reminds me of being in Romania...

eating: leftover chicken & noodles, fresh raspberries

drinking: the tropical citrus Vitamin Water, but disappointed in myself for accidentally buying the 10 calorie kind...I hate the aftertaste of the sweetener in it. :( but the yellow kind is pretty good even still...

leaving: in about 3 hours for the Catalyst Conference in Atlanta, GA with 3 pretty awesome people

listening: to Rascal Flatts. It's been awhile since I've listened to these guys...I thought it was due time.

hoping: I will actually do some good reading on the 6-7 hour road trip to Atlanta...I'm terrible at reading anything these days. I'd also like to sleep...but that probably won't happen. Also, hoping I don't catch the flu that seems to be everywhere...

NOT promising: that I'll write more soon, because I probably won't. This way if I do, you'll be surprised.

mmm...peachy

Well, I've realized that every time I turn on my oven in this apartment, the smoke detectors are going to go off. That doesn't inspire me much to cook or bake at home, but I like baking too much to let that keep me from making things, so I took the batteries out. :) Don't worry, I'll put them back in when the oven is off. Trust me, my dad was a fireman, so I wouldn't leave them out.

Since I'm all about making the pies, I thought I'd share my very simple peach pie recipe. Seriously, if you only knew how easy it was, you wouldn't be impressed. Maybe I should keep it a secret? Just kidding. I'll share.

First of all, the real treasure is this: my grandma Shirlye's pie crust recipe. If you want a good pie, you canNOT use store-bought pie crust. I tried to once, and I couldn't even stand to eat my own pie. I guess that's what I get for being lazy. Here's how you make Grandma's pie crust (makes 2 pie crusts--a top and bottom or two bottoms):
1 3/4 c. flour
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c. to 1 c. shortening
5 T. cold water

Blend the dry ingredients & shortening with a fork or pastry blender. Add the water and mix that in with the pastry blender or fork (or two forks). Chill for at least 30 minutes. (If you want, you can let it chill in the fridge for a day or two until you have time to make the pie. I do this sometimes!)

You can then use that crust for any kind of pie you want, but be sure that when you roll it out you dont use too much flour. It won't stick together well if you do. Also, a tip for putting the pie crust into the pie pan--fold the circle in half and then in half again, and put it in the pan and then unfold into place.

For my peach pie, I sort of combined whatever amount of peaches I had (maybe 2-3 cups, though most recipes say 5 c. of peaches are needed) with about 1 cup of cinnamon/sugar mixture (you can make it as cinnamon-y as you'd like), 1/4 t. nutmeg, a few shakes of salt (no more than 1/4 t. salt), and 1/2 c. flour. I mixed those together in a Ziploc bag and then stirred it in with the peaches.

A few tips: use a fork to poke a few holes in the bottom of the crust before you put any kind of filling in there. Then put the filling in, and cut up into small pieces about 2 T. butter and put that around the top of the filling. When you put the top crust on, fold the top of the crust under the bottom crust, and push it together with your thumb around the edges. Then poke holes in the top (in a fun design if you want!) with a fork, sprinkle water on top, and then sprinkle cinnamon/sugar on top.

Bake that at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. I found another recipe that says after 10 min. to turn it down to 350 and bake longer, so you can just eye it. If your crust gets too brown, use a pie crust shield on the edges to cover them before they burn, or you can just use foil around the edges.

Voila! That's all!
I use this crust recipe and basically the same inside for apple pie as well. Enjoy!