hope

Light.

It shows you what you couldn't see before. It reveals what could not be known otherwise. Light makes answers obvious.

And when there's no light? Little light? Fading light?

Well, that's where hope wins.

Hope shows us where the light will shine. Hope is the answer when the question seems impossible.

What is light? What is hope?

More than a concept, but a person. The person of the Trinity: Jesus Christ.

So Christmas, then, is the celebration of light, the birthday of hope. The darkness can't stand a chance.

Church

American church-planting has already changed. I've been told that denominational churches are "working" in other parts of the country. Maybe they are; maybe they're not. Denominations don't accompany us to Heaven. We're part of the Church when we love and follow Jesus, regardless of the church we commit to during everyday life.

So, if we are called to be Citizens of Heaven, why would denominational labels encumber us now? I have no statistics to accompany this claim, only first-hand experiences with friends who continue to raise up communities of Christ-lovers in places where few worshipped God before. My friends within the Church say that the PNW is an anomaly instead of a microcosm. We've been un-churched for so long that it was time to break the rules of church-planting and see what works in our community.

In September, the church I know and love launched a new campus in my city. (Technically it was a "soft launch", but hundreds of people came from the beginning.) Predictably, I'm excited about this inside view of how Christ-lovers plant churches. Many of my friends are part of like-minded church gatherings in the PNW. We have buzzword-filled conversations about "missional communities" and "doing life together". My little community has its own jargon of church-planting that I won't try to explain in this post (I'm sure its explained on a glossary page in our website.)

To be clear, the next paragraphs are just my own observations about American church-planting and are not theological statements from newlife. I love living on the edge of adventure, and PNW church-planting is as necessary as ever. Here are a few things I notice during these precious, early months:


Committed Team. God accomplishes beautiful transformation and great works through His people with committed hearts. Paul's missionary letters chronicle the work God did through their team. This kept Paul humble, giving credit to God because he knew his team would call him out otherwise. Our elder team commits to rejoice with each other and mourn with each other as a BODY. Our youth team meets regularly to pray and plan, but also to remind ourselves and our youth about the vision of God redeeming our entire city. We're even teaching this to our kids this week: "Two are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. -Ecc 4:9 NLT"

Grace & Truth. This is about more than the sermons from the stage. Our corner of the church is growing because every person is inviting friends, neighbors, and strangers who are not part of a church anywhere else. The challenge becomes: live a life of grace and truth. Leading to Christmas, our church family is exploring stories of hope throughout the Bible narrative. We routinely recognize the brokenness of our stories and our city, calling it into the light. 

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.-Eph 2:8-10" 

With grace, comes truth. Hope for a better future in Christ. A story with a different ending. Life that breaks death. People who have never known Church are attracted by any number of reasons (community, food...those are the big two...) but they join God's family when the Holy Spirit speaks Truth. Across our church, in groups and gatherings for people of every life stage, we show grace so the Holy Spirit can speak Truth. 

"So, now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.-Eph 2:19-22"

Transparency & Confidentiality. "Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us, and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2" 

This verse speaks to the transparency of the called life. Our leadership structure empowers every member of the Church to actively make disciples. This gets messy. We know that leaders make mistakes and disciples make mistakes, and there is a lot of potential for explosion. That's why it's important to be transparent; to own mistakes. That's why it's important to be wise and discerning; to not advertise others' heartache. The line of transparency & confidentiality is rooted in the balance of Grace & Truth. Living a life of love allows sin to be brought to light so that healing can occur, not so that reputations are destroyed. Ultimately, Christ is our reputation--and what a blessed thought that is.

Focus on community needs. My city is open about heart-break. A few years ago, the police asked my friends' church for help in one neighborhood. Even before our church began weekly meetings, the mayor provided a list of ways we could serve the people of our city. A number of churches in the city provide meals and services to our growing homeless population. Schools in our city allow churches to partner and provide school supplies to kids in poverty. This is what I love about the Church... we're everywhere! For years, I have been praying that God would transform our community with a revival of the Holy Spirit. Families healed. Addictions destroyed. Neighborhoods, schools, and businesses redirected for the Kingdom of Heaven. The dream is still alive, more alive than the struggle. A dynamic church moves to the heart-break of the neighborhood, ready to show HOPE. The Church goes to the hurting. The Church seeks the mess. 

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. -Matt 25:34-36"

wilderness

Amanda and I drove for 2 days to see the Grand Canyon. Through the wilderness.

On the long, beautiful drive, we listened to a podcast of a sermon from her church this summer. A sermon about wilderness. A sermon about your 20's. A sermon about who you go to when life is rough.

Ok, the sermon was really about David and the time he spends hiding in caves. Much more dramatic than either of our lives at the moment.

Still, I wonder when my heart's cry in the wilderness will be "Lord".  Right now, it feels my first cry is "Laura." I guess that growth is the part of the purpose of the wilderness.

sick day

Some days, my body calls quits. Like today.

Rest.

Recharge.

Prepare.

There are battles that aren't mine. Burdens that can be shared.

There are days to rest.

the alone lie

It's not that I get tricked, but I choose to believe the lie some days. I choose to listen to the critics. I choose to let them get to me. I live like I'm alone.

But I'm not alone.

Even on the days when everyone else is doing something. Even when everyone else is with someone. Even then, I'm not alone.

Church is community. People all around. People involved in the messy details. People making the details messy. Church is never being alone.

In the moments of solitude, still not alone. In the moments of desperation, still not alone.

Relationship with the living God means that "alone" is a lie. Truth is, God is with me every moment.

"Lo, I am with you always"- Matt 28:21
The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”-Ex 14:14

empty seats, great work

There were a lot of empty seats at our youth gathering tonight.

My teacher mind sees faces of students that could have been there. They needed to hear about how God makes us courageous. They needed the reassurance that YES there is HOPE in hard times. They needed to know God loves them. Not just needed...they still need to know.

So, how do we match needs with seats?

How do we bring the hope of the Gospel to the heartache of the world?

CHURCH. The answer is CHURCH. People who love Jesus, taking the message of Jesus to the places where people are hurt. That is CHURCH. Jesus spreads His love, His hope, His healing to the world through His CHURCH.

I want to be the Church of the people of the empty seats. I want to be the Church of conversations in the grocery store. I want to be the Church of neighbors swapping produce from the yard. I want to be the Church of waiting at the ferry. I want to be the Church of junior high students finding hope. I want to be the Church of the back row, of the back room, of the left out and the left over. I want to be in too deep to be distracted by anything else.

And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”--Nehemiah 6:4

That's my Church. The great work from which I cannot come down.

Church is cross country meets and spirit weeks and dance parties to children's worship songs. Church is turning a lawn into a garden and a park into a farm. Church is mutli-national, multi-lingual, multi-age and spans every SES. Church is toddlers and soccer players and science teachers and homemakers. Church is lots of teenagers. Church is lots of children.

I will always be part of the Church of empty seats. That is where the great work exists. That is how Jesus brings Heaven to Earth.

princesa

Between school starting, coaching, and launching another church to share the Gospel in our city, it's been a busy month.

Kayaking. Grading. Planning. Baseball-watching. Praying.

Repairing the leaks in the kitchen sink.

This is where September was invested.

Identity gets so swirled into the "doing" every day that I need quiet moments like this to recognize identity. I am a daughter of the King.

I am more than the sum of my projects, finished or unfinished.

I was created for purpose.

Today, that purpose included a ten hour trip with a cross-country team. Tomorrow, that purpose will look different...

As a daughter of the King, I need to remember to live and love as a Princess. (Albeit a princess ready to  transform her lawn into a barricade at a moment's notice.) Heaven is a lovely reality of faith made real. Life is a beautiful case study of brokenness restored in grace. This is the moment where we get to believe.

prayers instead of pencils

School starts in two weeks here.

Usually, I would be scouring the office supply stores to snatch up deals on classroom supplies. But, this year my students need prayer even more than they need 10 cent notebooks.

It's been true every other year, sure. Students need to see healthy relationships, at home and at school. It's an opportunity not every kid gets. So, I'm praying for their communities. I'm praying for my students to see Jesus in real, tangible ways through His people. I'm praying for my students to be surrounded with neighbors who love God and His children.

burning

My state is literally on fire.

North Central Washington has been burning all summer. Ellensburg and Cle Elum erupted into flames this week. Just last night, the national park in my backyard finally caught into flames.

Our world is on fire, too.

Military conflicts, diseases, and hopelessness are plaguing the planet I love.

Jesus, restore peace. Give us strength to praise You. Multiply our hallelujahs.

drama

"

dra·ma

  [drah-muh, dram-uh]  Show IPA

noun

1.

a composition in prose or verse presenting in dialogue orpantomime a story involving conflict or contrast of character,especially one intended to be acted on the stage; a play.

2.

the branch of literature having such compositions as its subject;dramatic art or representation.

3.

the art dealing with the writing and production of plays.

4.

any situation or series of events having vivid, emotional,conflicting, or striking interest or results: the drama of a murdertrial.

5.

the quality of being dramatic"

--Dictionary.com

I tried to step out of the drama this summer. It was easier. It was really fun.

However, it wasn't real.

Life is full of emotion. Life is full of struggle. Life is full of challenges. Drama.

Life is far more complicated than a play. The story is deeper and richer.

As before, the problem is sin and the answer is Jesus. Always.

The unnecessary drama filters out. The real story, struggle remains. Pain. Heartache. Big issues and small, global or local. Drama in our own stories, in the global story, in the BIG story.

"Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you." --Ephesians 5:14

pre-gaming

The last camp of the summer is almost here.

Of all the camps this summer, I'm most excited about this one! To focus my excited heart, tomorrow is a day of prayer and fasting. Anyone in town is welcome to come to the prayer retreat tomorrow evening. Everyone else is welcome to send requests and join us from wherever you are.

God hears us every moment. In concentrated moments of prayer, we remember He has always been listening. I so look forward to camp weeks, when students and staff alike recognize that God has always been listening. He genuinely cares.

Praise the Good Father who loves and cares for us so deeply. Thank Him for His compassion. Thank Him for His goodness. Beseech Him for peace. We all need peace.

And please, pray for camp.

january journals

Friday night is Prayer Retreat #2. To prepare, I'm clearing out old boxes in the basement. A box of journals needed to be moved, but I also needed to prepare my heart, so I read a few. Here is a glimpse back to the restoration in progress, January 2013. (Be mindful, this was a journal entry about a boy...)

"Not only am I holding onto a broken, human hope, but I am placing hope in a broken human. Christ's love brings victory, but I am unwilling to leave the battlefield of my earthly dreams. Eternal hope is for eternal souls. My feet are stubbornly set in the temporary.

By hanging onto a broken relationship with a broken human, I am choosing earthly identity over the Heavenly. My first name or last name doesn't even matter, because Christ has an altogether different name for me as His daughter. I must let go of these fleeting hopes--they only bring pain. His love is unfailing and eternal.

The problem is, I love like a human. My sin is so irrevocably strong--I can't fight it. The answer, though, is so much more beautiful. My Savior is the real and everlasting Champion. He defeated every sin. He defeated death. He purchased me. He makes me whole.

I am a citizen of Heaven. However I worship God, He remains God. Whoever I love as husband, Christ is my Savior. Truth cannot be changed by me. But praise You, Lord. I can be changed by the Truth!"-- January 24, 2013

"Somedays, I am the confident conqueror of the known world. Wanted and loved, there is no challenge beyond my grasp. I am trained and prepared for my tasks and my given name means 'victorious spirit'. On paper, I find myself impressive.

Yet, God in His infinite wisdom champions humility. My Master became an infant in order to save the entire world. My mightiest deeds will pass away without mention in the overwhelm of history, but the fact that God became human brought Heaven into the realm of earth. This is why humility is such a big deal.

Arrogance taints the sweet, fierce reflection of my Savior."--January 29, 2013

summer reading

We read a lot in our house. Sometimes we read fat biographies (Hannah is reading Bonhoffer by Metataxas) but also tounge-in cheek blog posts (like whatever Matt Walsh has to say about the trending social media topic.) I habitually read multiple books at once. Here is the overview of themes in our combined summer reading:

Christianity will never be cool. Jesus promised that His disciples would be hated by the world (John 15:20, 16:2). This is not an ideal of antiquity. Martyrs throughout Christendom stand witness to the truth that Christianity is counter to prevailing culture. Look at Dietrich Bonhoeffer's legacy. Still relevant today? Read Next Christians by Gabe Lyons, or if you have less time, read this blog post.

A Christianity that conforms doesn't fit with previous summer reading list picks (Radical by Platt, Fast Living:58 by Todd, Bruchko by Olson.) More importantly, "cool" Christianity doesn't fit with the directives Paul records in Romans:

"Do not conform any longer to the patter of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."-Romans 12:2 NIV

Those of us who grew up with flannel-grams, WWJD bracelets, and WOW! That's what I call music are more than a little excited to finally be considered "cool". The hipster trend is timely, especially for us in communities with a missional flavor. I intentionally say "us" because my church is full of hipsters... and I am wearing a hand-me-down sweater that is suddenly fashionable again.

Christianity, though, is more than wearing a summer camp t-shirt. Instead, Christians are to wear virtues that identify us as belonging to the Savior. Holy means to be set-apart, to be saved for a special purpose.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."-Colossians 2:12-14

Facts change. Truth doesn't. It's only on the reading list still because I didn't finish it over Spring Break, but Samuel Arbresman details the Half-Life of Facts. What we know about the world through science...changes.  Adam lent me a book about black holes that is flat-out crazy (Black Hole War by Susskind.) Our understanding of truth can change, with a sudden new event (Flatland by Abbott) or because of measurable differences within our personality (Quiet by Cain). This does not mean that truth changes!!! Just because I cannot understand an infinite God does not mean that He must have limits. It only means that I have limits.

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know."--Job 42:2-3 NIV


Sin is the bigger problem in the world. I don't care about Hobby Lobby or 50 Shades of Gray or the Bachelorette, although my facebook newsfeed insists I should. Yesterday's post referenced a number of news stories about recent global tragedies. News stories are full of bad people doing bad things, around the world. Plane crashes, gas field attacks, plagues and famines. Life is fragile, broken by sin. As long as people are alive to hear about Jesus, what else would we need to talk about?

After a year and a half, I'm finally in the home stretch of Les Miserables by Hugo. It's the good part, too. Action. Integrity. Redemption. Following through on plans for battle. Life is a constant war against death.

The latest read in our house is a little dry (Senator Ryan's budget report) but meaningful in the quest of loving our neighbors. Our literal neighbors lend tools that we don't have, and in return we bring flowers and produce. Maybe that's how poverty ends? Supernatural love transforming communities.

I have nothing left to say tonight. It seems fitting to end this point and post with Gospel:

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."--Romans 6:23

don't panic

"And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come."-- Mark 13:7 & 8 NIV

Have you watched, read or listened to the news lately? It seems the world is at war.

Nearly 300 people died when their plane was potentially shot down above a war zone. Another 200 died when their plane avoided a dust storm into another active war zone. Over 1,000 people have contracted Ebola in Western Africa.

These are just the numbers from stories in the news today.

The news makes it sound like sin is winning. The news proclaims that death has the victory.

"For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ..." 1 Cor 15:56 & 57 NLT

This is the news we don't hear on TV. This is the news we don't read on social media. But this is the best news of eternity! Jesus wins! Sin is defeated. Death cannot claim victory.

Life! Glorious life! Jesus swallows up death in victory.

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." 1 Cor 15:58 NLT

In the shadow of horrible tragedies today: in Mali. In Sierra Leone. In Gaza.

In the light of Jesus' victory over the grave: Grace. Redemption. Hope.

There will be wars and rumors of wars every day until the end. And, there will be HOPE, glorious hope eternal, even past the end. This is our battle cry, entering into the war with the greatest weapon of all time: hope in Jesus Christ.

sweet spot

There is an essay brewing in my soul, but I am too sunburned to write it tonight.

Today is Wednesday of Kid's camp. In camp culture, Wednesday is usually "sin day". It's the day of recognizing the brokenness that invades earth and seeks to destroy God's perfect plan. Wednesdays are the days where the story becomes real, the plot thickens, the darkness is brought into light.

Camp today was beautiful. Kids were asked to invite their friends and neighbors for FREE and our camp was full of first time guests. The Gospel was proclaimed loudly. Pray for students and the families they represent to be touched by God's mercy and grace.

Then, tonight at youth group, the message focused on John 4. The theme was how God brings our darkness into His Light. Truth. Grace. Good news for everyone.

We also had the greatest water fight I've ever witnessed...

Afterwards, a friend mentioned "You're really in your sweet spot" about the water fight I helped plan. We talked about how different this year was from last year. I would have never expected to see God use my gifts in this way. I figured prophets were supposed to share truth, always. But, it seems prophets can plan pretty great recreation activities, too.

God, grant the humility to follow you eagerly into every adventure. I don't have the strength for these challenges, but you plant me in the "sweet spot" for your credit. Camp and youth group. Work at school. Friends, neighbors and family. In every situation, God provides the grace to love with His love.

That's the gist: serving Jesus is the "sweet spot."


This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.--Isaiah 66:2  NIV

A reminder of the "sweet spot" for 10 months of the year, loving students for Christ at school.

The team of exchange students from the Basque country who only listen when I give instructions in Spanish
(and make fun of it, as they should). 

Our Recreation Lead team at camp, serving God together.

Student servant leaders finding their "sweet spot" at the beach we built in our field.

garden

My new favorite place in the world is this garden.

These pictures from my web cam are a little blurry, and backwards, but still capture the life, beauty and excitement that bursts through. The sunflowers in the fence are now seven feet tall, dwarfing my Kia parked behind.

Green beans, green tomatoes, green spinach and green peppers are nearly ready for harvest. The potatoes and cauliflower, too, grow larger each day.  The artichokes, asparagus and fruit trees will need more than just this year. And the broccoli... there's always next year.This garden has taught me so much about patience and hope.

In the sweet cohesion of the Spirit, our church leaders are in the middle of a sermon series called "Cultivate." Very important moments in the story of God's love for the world happened in gardens. Like a garden, important relationships take a lot of tender, careful, hard work.

This garden reminds me that God has a larger, unexpected plan. Not just for me. Not just for my house or neighborhood. God has a beautiful, surprising plan to bring life from dirt. He patiently crafts beautiful harvests. This is why I love my little garden so much. It reminds me that God is in control. I just get to be a part of the growing.

a beautiful week

Beautiful things can be simultaneously simple and complex.

The complicated pieces always involve people. Often, sin plays a role, too. In the midst of brokenness and painful stories, though, Jesus always bursts through to claim victory. Mess, drama, whatever you want to call it-- Jesus is able to win in every story.

This week was beautiful because Jesus wins. Sunday to Friday at Cascades Camp, leading a crew of high school students to serve at middle school YFC camp. Saturday of rest.


This week was beautiful because the Holy Spirit restored hope. Students at camp saw hope for their brokenness. Emerging leaders had hope renewed in messy situations. Newlife Bremerton hosted a worship night centered on the theme of Christ's hope for our city. Mark repeatedly proclaims that Jesus is the hope that makes the broken... beautiful.

Yes! This is the victory!

Wake up O sleeper, rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you.--Ephesians 5:14

Hannah wrote that verse on our wall as a bold proclamation of hope.

This week was beautiful, even when I had to wake up six highschool girls at the crack of 7 am to set tables for campers. It felt analogous to waking the dead some mornings. Yet hope is tangible. Christ wins. The Holy Spirit equips us with beautiful gifts (like patience) to serve His children.

This week was beautiful as a full expression of the Bride of Christ. Meeting new brothers and sisters is one of my favorite parts of loving Jesus. Making new friends shows the world what love looks like. Jesus gains victory when we share stories and do live together.

This week was beautiful with story. Even today, with camp completed, God gave opportunity to catch up with faithful old friends. Conversation with neighbors moving out. Conversation with neighbors moving in. Connection with church planters in our neighborhood. Walks with dearest friends and mentors. Lovely afternoon at my parents. Hope, sweet victory. And to finish the evening, Cassia and I were blessed to welcome a stranger to the city we've both come to love. Joy is the expression of hope played out. I doubled over laughing so many times on our walks that two different friends called me on it...

This week was beautiful, but really hard. Leading American teenagers to work is challenging, but a passion (hobby, even) of mine. Settling personality disputes took a lot of patience that I don't naturally have. But, oh Jesus gives the grace we need. Walking back and forth all day built character for all of us until I caved on Wednesday and started driving the Kia around camp. Camp was hard on the Kia.

This week was beautiful and worth it. There are two more camps on my schedule for the summer. Please join me in praying for God to stir revival in the hearts of Kitsap's children. Please pray for the love of God to transform our community. Pray for grace. Pray for truth. Hope for the victory.

Thank you for being part of this beautiful week.

another

There are still two more Tuesdays this school year. The next one and another one. But then, this year is over, too. Just like every school year before.

After this year, there will be another.

Maybe that's how I know I'm finally a grown-up: I always expect another. For each failure, I know there will be another chance. For each struggle, another. For each victory, another.

So, here's to whatever your next "another" may be.

almost

next week is June
where has this month gone?

dry

1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORDand set me down in the middle of the valley;fn it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: Behold, I will cause breathfn to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the LORD.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling,fn and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.”- Ezekiel 37:1-14

It's a lot easier to give up hope than it is to fight for it. It's easier to give up on someone than to trust that God can ever make them change. It's easier to give up on yourself altogether.

But.

Jesus claimed identity as the Resurrection (John 11). Even death cannot win for hopelessness. Hope always wins, because God always wins.

It's hard to spend time, resources, and effort on hopeless situations. (Sure, good boundaries are important.) But, God gets credit for restoring even hopelessness.

Praise God. He will not let us settle for death. He will not allow us to slowly decay in hopelessness. No. He loves us. He holds us near and dear to Himself, calling us into glorious life. He rescues us while we are dead (Ephesians 1, Romans 5). He pulls dry bones into a living army.

This is my battle cry. This is the victory. Jesus has triumphed over sin and death forever. Jesus is the Resurrection!

the thick of it

Easter!

Launch season!

Track season!

This is the thick of it. Mariners baseball and squeezing in landscaping time between rain showers. Service projects at school. Conversations in the neighborhood. 

Groups! Groups! Groups!

It's good the days are so long. Thank you for these gorgeous days, Good Father.

the voice

"The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness;"- Psalm 29:8

Day five of the storm and His voice prevails.

This verse resonates with the innate human acknowledgment of God. Every generation that lives in the wilderness recognizes God's voice. Every lover of the wilderness must recognize God's clear, compelling cries. Especially on a fierce day like today, His voice cannot be silenced.

long walks in the rain

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore." --Psalm 133 ESV

It wasn't raining when I woke up this morning, so I only grabbed a down sweater for today's hike to Lena Lake in the Olympics. By the time we arrived at the trailhead, it was definitely raining. And it continued to rain significantly longer than the waterproofing on my hiking pants...

The six mile hike through the forest (and the 90 minute drive each way) were cold and long, but that wasn't the reason for our hike. Fellowship. Fellowship is beautiful. Shared struggle for a common goal. Community reveals our strengths and weaknesses, with brothers and sisters to speak from experience. Unity in the Church, with all its crazy members who willingly walk 6 miles in the cold, March rain. The sweetness of community even beats the beautiful mountains, rivers and lakes that we shared together.

That was the first long walk in the rain of the day.

Then, tonight, after watching Les Miserables performed by the students of Bremerton High, my soul craved another long walk in the rain. This time, the scenery wouldn't draw a crowd. I walked back and forth in my neighborhood, praying for impending revival. God has beautiful plans for Bremerton, like a  lover anxiously waiting for His Beloved.

I turned around at the church building on the corner, greeted by forceful wind. The driving rain made it impossible to even know if I was crying. This is how the Father romances us. He promises to always be here. And really, isn't that the only blessing we need? Life forever with Him. Life in Him in Bremerton today; life with Him every day after.

trading good for great

I stepped out of the role of Catholic catechumen a year ago.

Still, this Lenten season stands to be the deepest, richest yet.

In a year, God continues to shower His grace, blessing me with tough times and unexplained victories. Tears reveal the weaknesses I cling to, trying to be strong alone. Jesus recognizes every emotion. He sees every need.

This Lent, I pray to recognize the poor around me. I pray to look to Christ as the perfect example. I shrink my world most mornings, but Jesus offers the opportunity to build His Church at the very gates of Hell. Mmm, I want on THAT team!

Hope is real. It's here. You can feel electricity in the air. Jesus lived the greatest story of all time, and lives today through the CHURCH. We were first made from ashes, but now Christ makes us eternal.

Lord, help me remember my weakness as You show Your greatness. Unite Your Church this season. Bring the poor, the broken to Yourself. Use Your Church to heal Your world.

Yes Lord, I'm excited to spend another Lenten season in Bremerton. I'm excited to see You change the world!

love and boundaries

Happy Valentine's Day.

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.-- John 14:23 ESV

Love is in the air, or at least on the radio and TV. Everyone is talking about love or avoiding talking about love. My housemate and I are throwing a "Bring a Date and Die" party at our home this evening... if anyone comes. (At this point, it may just be the two of us watching the Olympics on NBC.)

Last night, I took a break from watching the Olympics to debrief life with my mentor at my favorite bar. She asked the standard arsenal of questions to catch back up on the happenings of life. Work, ministry, dating, the typical mentoring stuff. I told her that life was harder than I thought it would be and better than I thought it could be.

In the middle of the conversation, she asked about what had changed in the way I looked at life.

"I think I'm respecting better boundaries," seemed like a good enough reply.

"What does that mean?" she probed.

I realized, right then, that I expend so much time and energy trying to love like Jesus loves: without boundaries. I continue to see myself as perfect, able to love limitlessly. I refuse to acknowledge my limits, weaknesses, boundaries.

But, that's the beauty of grace. God uses my brokenness to reveal glory. I love with boundaries because I am broken. I love a broken world in a broken world. There are barbed wire fences around minefields in this broken world. Love is the antidote.

Maybe I've mixed too many metaphors...

Jesus is perfect and can love without limit. I am broken and need boundaries. The miracle is, Jesus uses us in our weakness. Love is supernatural strength in impossible human situation. Love never gives up. Oh, what a beautiful boundary:

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Cor 13:7