All the single ladies, all the single ladies. (and you, too.)

I'm not sure that Beyonce had the WHOLE picture;

"If you like it than you should have put a ring on it."

In truth, it's more along the lines of ...

"If you don't mind looking over at me when we're 85 and can hardly stand on our own two feet, only to find my eyes hidden behind the wrinkles that surround them, and my pants a bit wet because I just can't seem to make it to the bathroom in time anymore; Then - you should put a ring on it."

__________________________________________________

Well, it's a good thing that God understands our desire to love and be loved (even beyond the point of granny diapers) and so adorns us with much more love than we can grasp.

Therefore, our hearts and minds can be set in living out the mystery of this love, so that even in the scariness of getting older- we're somehow always beautiful. Because when a thing is loved, that thing is beautiful.

So, for those of you who feel "singled out," fail not forget that being singled out just may mean more than you think.

Being called out, or singled out, is greater news than you could hope for.

"You are My witnesses,” says the LORD,

“And My servant whom I have chosen,

That you may know and believe Me,

And understand that I am He." -isaiah43:10

God calls us into Himself, in order that we be sent out. He chooses us to GO, and flow opposite the current of the world; which in turn can sometimes lead us to feel a bit.. single?

Yet, the beauty is in the covenant- the Promise of God that He will never leave us, and is coming back to take us where He has already prepared a place.

Not only do we have His Promise to hold on to, but we have Him. There is no greater gift that God could give us other than Himself. If He gave us anything less, He would be plain awful. To allow us in as children shows that truly none of us are "single" as the world defines being single.

It's a Marriage.
A Covenant.
A Friendship.

..."I no longer call you slaves, I call you friends." - Jesus. (John 15:15)

God has called us out on who we are, in order that we come to realize, well.. who we are. We are His, and the love He has shown us in Christ is sufficient to outlive any amount of beauty that we hold on the outside.

Truth is - He's coming back as your bridegroom- He did put a ring it. ln addition to the ring He gave, He proved His faithfulness by the ring that he wore. It didn't look as pretty as most rings do, it didn't glitter and it didn't shine. It sat along the middle of his forehead, and penetrated deep into the temples of his skull.

B u t ....

"They didn't take his life ..

he l a i d it d o w n." (a.peterson)

This ring is the one he bore so that you didn't have to. It may not have been glittering on the outside, but what glitters isn't gold. Yes, this crown upon him shines brighter than any of the passing riches of this world, and of more value than any amount of pure gold. This crown has proved the justice, mercy, grace, faithfulness and abounding love of the One who is worth it all.

So in the midst of what you think is loneliness, it may just be your opportunity to draw from His fountain overflowing. A time to see your "singleness" transformed.

He's been on bended knee for you since before the foundation of the world.

I hate to say it, but ...

Beyonce's got nothin on this.

A love story, revisited.

When I gave the toast at my sisters wedding, I talked about love (how incredibly remarkable, I know).

I did so by painting the picture with a very simple story.

I was doing the dishes at the kitchen sink, and Jenna was in the living room. All of a sudden from inside the other room, I hear...

"JOE!!"

Silence.

"JOE!!"

"JOE, COME IN HERE!!"

"JOE!!"

"JOE!!”

“JOE!

Did you see this, Joe?!"

Now, I’m not exaggerating, if you knew my sister you would understand.

I looked over at Arturo, Joes brother in law, who stood in the kitchen with me; we both smiled.

Not so much at the profound love connection between two human beings, but more honestly at my sisters incessant summoning, in all of its .... incessantness.

But just then, it clicked.

Love.

Quite simply, Jenna was looking at something;

and her j o y was not complete, until Joe was by her side enjoying it w i t h her.

I read a poem, and this was my instant experience.

All I wanted to do was share it; to have someone enjoy it with me.

In this I was brought back to this story, and I found it quite appropriate given that the wedding toast was given exactly one year ago today.

So, in honor of my sister - who wore well the shoes of a beautiful wife, and is now walking the road of a widow.

Thank you for inspiring me in your small and simple acts of love. You have always been a delicate soldier.

I pray that it’s His love you cling to. I hope you stay believing that as the chaos of life spins widely out of control- it falls right into His hands. And there's no better place.

This poem is a plea to Him, the Overseer of our souls, written with a true heart of flesh;

showing the nature of our astounding humanness.

So, without further ado ....

“WORLD!!!”

“WORLD!!!”
“WORLD!!!”

“WORLD, Come OVER HERE!”

“Have you READ THIS, World?!?”

;)

Found neatly tucked through the glorious doors of

The Rabbit Room

written by Andrew Peterson

http://www.rabbitroom.com/

(you should totally check it out.)

THANKSGIVING

(A CONFESSION AND A PLEA TO THE ALMIGHTY)

"O God, Magnificent Confounder,

Boundless in mercy and power,

Be near me in my apathy.

Be near me, Savage Dreamer,

Bright Igniter of Exploding Suns,

But not too near. I’d like to live,

By your grace, just long enough

To taste another perfect steak.

And to see my children marry,

And, perhaps, to pen a memoir.

Great redeemer of my lechery,

Bright Dawn of Blessed Hope,

Lay waste to every prideful thing,

Each black infraction of your law.

O Swirling Storm of Holy Anger,

Be patient with me. I’m certain

I will make a second gluttonous

Trip to the festal spread of food.

And I might as well admit, O King

Omniscient, I plan to make a third.

And that will lead to sloth, I know,

If only for the afternoon. Awake,

O sleeper! But not yet, not yet.

I want to dream a dream of light

In Heaven’s towering splendor.

I long, my Lord, to walk its streets

Or better yet, to drive them.

I’ve always wanted a motorcycle,

A cool one that blats and rumbles

Like a herd of flaming zebras.

I could totally impress the ladies

With my holy rolling zebra steed,

But only by your perfect pleasure,

Ruler of the angel armies, blaster

Of the horn of strength, would I ride

The golden highways awesomely.

O Wisdom of the Ages, speak!

Sing to me of secret knowledge

Open wide the gates of truth,

And let me learn it, by your grace,

Through the medium of television–

Smartly written situational comedy,

Perhaps, or an epic space opera.

Let me taste the honey of your word,

My beloved savior. Seriously. Save me

From my wit, my words, my songs,

My sin, my bad poems, my vanity,

My every single human impulse,

Except the ones I like and am able

To justify using my corruptible

Reason, my imperfect understanding,

And my belief in your inexhaustible

Forgiveness. When I awake, saintly,

I will consume a dish of pumpkin pie.

And, as I politely swallow a belch,

I will lean my heart on yours, Almighty,

To whom, alone, is due thanksgiving."

The Hand Wave

As the man in front of me half turned around, hand slightly waved in the air, I was wondering why he would be waving to me.

I had just woken up from an hour long nap on my flight back to Phoenix, and was at the stage of just “coming to.” The jet engines drown out a lot of noise, but as I stared at him in the middle seat in front of me I could tell he was saying something. I leaned my head in to catch his words with my nearer ear..

“My son!”.. he said.

I did the same uncomfortable half body twist to catch a glimpse of the young man sitting directly behind me. His dark wavy hair caught my eye first, and I then noticed that his headphones, along with the faint jet engine roar, drown the hope of his dad catching his his attention.

“Would you like me to get him for you?” I leaned up and asked the father, still waking up.

He let out a huge grin, and nodded,

“Yes.”

I turned around again, and waved toward the young boy; my hand more visible as I was seated a row closer.

“Your dad”, I said with a smile, so as not to alarm him, he’s trying to get your attention.

The boy popped up, and squirmed his way as high on his chair as he could. He caught his dad’s eye with a big smile, and the dad waved once more. His boy smiled ear-to-ear, and waved back.

We all resumed back to our original positions, and continued on where we had been. For me that meant pulling out my computer, to tell this story.

Why?

Because I found this fascinating.

I knew immediately that this seemingly ordinary situation was actually a representation of how God works in our lives.

We get distracted by the worlds headphones. These big earpieces weigh heavily on the gateway to our soul, blocking our ability to tune into the still small voice.

However, when the times comes in which we fall into the deep trance of the worlds music, He will use someone closer to us to come along and help tune us into the song of His voice.

Even if His message is as subtle as a hand wave, as to say;

“Hello child,

here I am.”

At the head of the noisy streets, she cries out..

It could be written about through eternity, but yet I'm finding it more simple as the days wear on. For truly wisdoms secrets are tucked neatly into our ordinary experiences. It doesn't take being well traveled, well-learned, or well-known; it's taking the simple adversary and prosperity in this life, and being changed by it. Because this is where your heart is tested, and where the truth of your heart is revealed. In the simple crying of an infant, and how you react to it. The long line at the grocery store. The guy who cuts you off on the road. The professor who denounces everything that you whole-heartedly believe. Seeing a couple holding hands. Witnessing an argument. Getting a compliment. Giving a compliment. Someone gossiping to you. Getting a promotion. Stardom.

Are you patient at heart?

Proud at heart?

Angry at heart?

Self-seeking?

The answer is, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

It isn't a mystery, it's truth.

Think about a child for just a second ..

Patience? "But MOOOMMMM, I want itttttt NOOWWWWW!"

Angry? Cue the 1. banging fist tantrum 2. slamming door 3. biting ...

Proud? "I can do anything you can do, better! I can do anything better than YOU!"

Self-seeking? "But it's MINEEEEE!"

And I think realizing and admitting to the state of your heart, is the foundation that wisdom sits upon. Because it's about knowing yourself, and knowing others.

Not about perfection, but the act of being perfected.

The child isn't taught these inner quirks, this IS the child. And as this little wonder begins to grow, we teach them from what we've learned, and maybe not learned, ourselves.

Trying to work out these pieces in them that we know aren't good. For, if we continued to let them do what they naturally want to, they would fall fast into an ugly root of bitterness, selfishness, hatred, and the like. To give them over to the desire of their heart would only ruin them.

But can they see that?

No.

They see you as unfair, wrong, mean, and unjust. They see their will, as the only possible way of life.

But wise eyes watching over them know better.

The Bible often points to the heart's Creator as one who tests it, weighs it, and knows it. The everyday walk of this life is wisdom for the taking. He is taking a heart that is unpurified and misdirected, and leading it towards love and repentance (change).

God is simply using the annoying, mixed up, hurting, mundane craziness of the world to perfect you in a way that only the Author of this wisdom would be capable of.

The only one who need not humble himself, did so, in order that we may learn to follow the still small voice that always seems to know better.

Because it's Him.

He is, and always will be, the beginning of wisdom.

(In short: We're all still a bunch of little kids.)

*See also: The Book of Proverbs. :)

Sillyz Bands, and a pretty cool House.

So today I gave Steve, my check out cashier at Walmart, my silly band.

He commented on my purchase which included about 7 bags of silly bandz (yes with a "z"), saying how they really had become the trend. I told him I was beginning to realize the same thing, because it seemed as though ever since I put one on I continued getting comment after comment.

As I ran my debit card for the grand total of $15.07, I looked up at this interesting looking guy- as light as the winter snow, with bright hair and dark eyes, a red sweat band on his wrist. We made small talk about the storm coming through, and I told him the goodies I was buying were for the kids that I teach on Tuesday nights.

I was compelled..

“Well Steve, the real question is .. will you have my silly band?”

He smiled and said “No!”

Haha, that wasn’t the answer I was expecting.

“C'mon, you wouldn’t wear this thing?? You’re missing out man.”

“Ok, yes I’ll wear it.”

“Are you going to take it off as soon as I walk out?”

“Haha, no I want it.”

“I’m going to sneak around this store later on in the week to confirm this, you know that right ..”

“Good, do it. I work all week, and you’ll see me wearing it!

My silly band was a house. How? You may ask.

These glorified little rubber bandz are just stretchy plain bracelets when they adorn your arm, but off your wrist they’re free to unravel into their originiality. Whether it’s a shoe, a piece of fruit, an airplane ..

When Steve and I began conversing about how popular they had become, I took mine off and laid it on the cash counter; I wanted to show it’s true shape. It unwiggled itself..

And I parted with my little blue house.

However, the only thing that came to my heart as I handed it over to Steve were some of the lasting words of the Lord. Before He parted with His disciples He made sure to tell them what was to come. I knew I wanted to leave him with more than a silly rubber band; What I wanted to say was something more like ...

“Listen. This might be a meaningless piece of material that will sit around your wrist until the day something better and cooler comes along, or some strange girl offers you something different someday. But until then; I want to give you this house because it could just be the most important thing in your life. You see, when Jesus came to be with us on earth, He told us that In His Father’s house there are many rooms. And He was going to prepare us a place in that house. It’s the certainty of knowing that the Creator of the world knows us by name, and longs to dwell with us for eternity. So even now, this may not seem an imperative thought to mind, but I encourage you to ponder it each time you look down at your wrist to wring someone up. The bible says states:

“No eye has seen and no ear has heard what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1Cor 2:9)

Something tells me that this house Jesus spoke of might be pretty, pretty stellar; and I hope you dig the bracelet."

I have my excuses as to why these words didn't reach my tongue quick enough.

But someday I hope I find myself back in a checkout line at Walmart,

in order that God may be glorified through something as seemingly silly, as silly bandz.

Encouragement

(June 15th, 2010)

Encouragement.

It's amazing when this comes so much more deeply in times of darkness and strife. Often times, the best moments of ministry come through the thick cloud of haze that surrounds you in the midst of tragedy. As I sit on this airplane, wondering how it's possible to feel "ready" to face my now widowed sister, I still praise and worship God because He's never not Good. Life is in the blood, and it was His that symbolizes the strength to continue on.

He is there to guide us into a place that we never thought we'd come to. A place from where we look back and know that had it not been for His everlasting presence we would be full of sorrow and dismay. Yet, as His Word reminds us again, and again, and again ..It is by fire that we are refined, and perfected. The Testing of our faith produces perseverance. And we rejoice in our sufferings because they produce in us perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. (Romans 5:4) This is what we're left with, what we cling to. The hope of the salvation of our God. The love that He graciously bestowed upon us in a way unfailing.

So Lord, now I pray for the strength to stand and rise along side my sister. Knowing that your Word brings healing and restoration to the brokenhearted.

You spoke:

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted."

Your peace will rest where there is none. And only you could be the perfect Father for the baby on the way.

Persevere

I don't want to just get by. I want my mission to burn as deep and strong as Yours did - and still continues to. To keep pressing .. with a perseverance that is utterly contagious, and radically selfless.