The Body

{disclosure: I am typing this so excitedly and having a hard time articulating this post appropriately... so hopefully this makes sense and isn't just a bundle of jumble. if so, sorry. maybe soon the Lord will show me how to better write the words. for now, it just makes sense in my heart.}

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Ephesians 4:15-16

I think the Lord showed me something tonight.

He created his children to grow into maturity as we grow in Jesus. We grow together. We are one body, even though we are many bodies. He uses each of us in a unique way to bring glory to His kingdom. And within the one body we make up when we join together in worship of our Lord, there are many parts. The body is joined together by every single supporting ligament. Each part of the body has a purpose. Each of us represent a different part of the body as each part does its work, but the body must be one to function as it was created to function.

The Lord God created the body. He created Adam and from Adam he created Eve.

I wonder if when he created Adam, he knew his plan for this creation. This creation was to work together and become one body. As he created one body. He knew the purpose of every part of the body in one person to live. And he knew the purpose he created each part of the body of Christ to be in order to truly live in Christ.

He knew about the body of Christ at the beginning of the world. Because he is all knowing. And he is Christ. The Lord God created the human body when he created Adam and Eve. He knew how he would use the human body to symbolize the body of Christ later. He knew he would use the parts of the body to symbolize the members of the body of Christ doing their respective work. He knew people would understand this symbolism because of how the parts of a body are dependent on one another to function appropriately and effectively.

The body is SO important. I had never thought of how important the body is. To every human life. To Life. And to the kingdom.
And God surpasses my understanding. He is all knowing, all present. He had a master salvation plan before he even began creating.

God seriously blows my mind.

Heaven in a moment

God blesses our eyes with many different skies. 

But I think this type is my favorite.

Mainly because it makes me think of heaven.

I remember I saw an angel when I was eight years old

in the clouds in the sky 

when it looked really similar to this.

I'm so thankful for small reminders of purpose.

[ps: i have been an awful blogger. it has just been crazy. 

but i'm alive and well. thanks for being patient with me.]

Tis the season

Pumpkin... pumpkin... pumpkins everywhere!

I must confess something.

I've never been a big pumpkin-eater.

Oh, I like picking real pumpkins and carving them, and even eating the seeds.

But pumpkin bread... pumpkin pie... no thank you.

Until this year.

Something changed.

It started with my friend's amazing pumpkin cupcakes at Bible study one night...

followed by me making them...
then trying a pumpkin spice latte...

and then making pumpkin bread...

and ordering a pumpkin muffin (who AM i?)

and again, mini cupcakes.

I still don't think I can do the massive pumpkin-ness of pumpkin pie.

[although i may try it... a small piece.]

This season has definitely stretched me

to give pumpkin another chance.

Why would I write it off before I really know what it's like?

God has used this season to challenge me

to be bold, to try new things, and learn more about who He made me to be.

And part of that journey involves pumpkins.

Shave for a purpose

Remember my special friend and RD who passed away from cancer two weeks ago?

She worked at a camp in New Mexico, and
this is what her friends and coworkers did for her. 

She made a difference. 

One life affected so many lives.

And now those people are making a difference. 

For even more lives.

What a gift to witness God's compassion being poured out through His people.

Remembering Holiness

God often meets me through music.
And in my car.
This morning was one of those times.

I was listening to this one song, and I was overwhelmed with its simple message.

Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings 
You are my everything
And I will adore You

Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be
To You the Only Wise King

Filled with wonder
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus
Your Name is Power
Breath and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery

I looked around and saw the birds and the trees and the clouds.
And I thought, this is Your creation, Lord.
And your creation worships you by simply being.

Then I looked at all the cars sitting in traffic.
And I thought, each car represents a person with a story.
Each person is part of Your creation, Lord.
And so many people are missing what you are offering.

And then I looked inside my car.
And saw me.
And realized, I so often forget how simple it is.
I get discouraged and I forget
that You are Holy.

In the midst of the brokenness in this world and in me,
You are Holy.

Why is it so simple for the birds of the air to worship the God of the universe
but it is so hard for people to acknowledge the Creator?

Why do I make it so complicated
when it is so very simple?

Holy are you Lord. 
Blessing, honor, glory, strength, and power be to You.
Jesus, your name is power, breath, and living water.
It's such a marvelous mystery.

Help me remember.

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

Isaiah 6:3

Case for a Creator

Wednesday night as I drove to bible study, I watched the sky. For 25 minutes, driving from one end of San Diego to the other, I watched (and took pictures) as it changed from amazing to amazing.

That is not the work of random.

That is a masterpiece of the divine Creator.

Walk for a Cure

This past Saturday (only a few hours after we returned from LA) Mom and I did the MS Walk.

I love doing walks. I love being a part of something bigger than me. My mom does too. This was our third year doing the MS Walk together, and man is it fun! Typically it's at Legoland, but this year they offered one in Liberty Station, so we went to that one. Because really, it's the cutest area ever.

 Gettting started... and we're off! I've convinced her self-portraits taken with the camera held out in front of us are totally the latest and greatest.

 Yep, we definitely walked down Harbor Dr. Lots of planes! :)

 Half time. The moment we had been waiting for. They had these super yummy cold vanilla latte drinks - excellent idea!

 We each got two. Mom only had to go to the bathroom three times. ;)

I love the harbor. Every time I go down there I think, gosh I really should come down here more often. (we both said that).

 And the big finish!!
[Mom really liked those little coffees. :)]

Thanks for doing it with me, Mom. You're the best. I love hanging out with you. And hey, we got free coffee and pizza after! So it was totally worth it!