since pictures are worth more

The moments, memories, and miracles that have taken place in the past month or two since the last post are so many more than can be typed up at this point in time. So to summarize, God has been undeniably good to me. I have been pulled and stretched in ways I couldn't have predicted and have laughed harder than ever before. So here are some pictures from my staff teams in Arkansas, Missouri, Maine, and North Carolina--life is so full of joy because of these gifts from God. Two more classes to go!

"our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. for our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name." 
psalm 33:20-21

a forever movement

one class in and I'm already feeling the first wave of sentimentality regarding this era of my life. and it really is incredible, this season that I'm in. and it really does fly. and I wonder how I'll handle moving on come summer. and I wonder what I'll do next, where I'll go. but as I see my fingers wrapping tight, grasp closing on this good gift, I remember four simple words:

'seek first the Kingdom.'

how blatantly I disregard this or distort its imperative truth. I want to seek first teenpact where I've been changed, where I've met some of my favorite people, where I've had the most memorable experiences. but teenpact is not an end but a means. if it furthers the kingdom that God is growing in this world or better equips me to take part in that work in the future, then it is of actual consequence. but if it does a million good things but this, I must run! I must not waste time on efforts that are not Kingdom efforts.

this changes how I view the looming end of teenpact. if I'm in it for the Kingdom's sake (which is a forever movement), then I can stand to part with a temporary season or tool that God used.

this is why this season, I want to stand on Jesus as my rock. I want to worship the change that Jesus does in hearts, not teenpact. I want to preach the eternal government, not primarily the state's. I want to be in the business of making disciples, not politicians.

with this as my eternal anchor and driving purpose, the passing of time and seasons cannot shake me.

morning light

Some mornings even a breath is enough to marvel. It's enough that the sun is streaming in the window and dishes are clinking breakfast below, and for the past hours of unconsciousness my body knew to keep on its cycle. And I wake to this view of all the other miracle-made humans that God interjected my life with to shape who I am. God has been undeniably good to me.

And all of a sudden, a new day is a thing of beauty. a thing to live fully and soak in deeply. Because He who didn't spare His own Son in His insistent love for us has also given us mornings, fresh and unmarked. He's given us the most basic and profound blessings, and then some. No, and then immeasurably more. Spend today counting.

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Psalm 90:14

“To live at all is miracle enough.” 

Mervyn Peake

there and back again

The year 2013 has been filled to the brim with travels, memories, friends, and life lessons. Last spring I accepted a traveling internship with TeenPact Leadership Schools, which is just now getting rolling. So for the past couple months, I've spent a week training and a couple weeks on the road teaching other young people to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture. In the process, I've camped out at the airport until 1am, waiting for my ride to fix their flat tire. I've consumed an inhumane amount of vitamin C. I've learned the art of Whirly Ball--a thrilling combination of bumper cars, lacrosse, and basketball. I've visited five states outside the hills of Oregon. I've painted freezing cold cinder block walls with my bare hands. I've come down with two different viruses. I've begun countless treasured relationships stretching nation-wide. And thus will be my life until June.

Hopefully 2013 will also bring more of me to you through this blog. Can't make any promises, but I have great ambitions to frequent this space a tad more and hope maybe you'll join me here.

And now for a peek into the adventures of the past couple months.

Texas. Oklahoma. New Mexico. Arizona.

Atlanta, Georgia.

peace on earth

Peace on earth—

A distant theme

When unrest billows round.

The world it aches,

Hearts they break,

And life itself is unsound.

Fresh from the womb

We’re longing, longing

Longing to belong,

But we strive for wind,

And earth of sin

Groans her mournful song.

There is no peace

In body aches

First breath, and death draws near

Each day we sigh

And learn to die,

The grave slowly stealing our years.

There is no peace

In wife against spouse

Nor stranger against a child

A lawsuit against brother,

A son against mother—

All relations have been exiled.

There is no peace

In deadly winds

Tearing at house and land,

In rising water,

Or raging fire—

Earth turned against man.

There is no peace

In world division,

When nation strikes another.

Piercing shrapnel,

Life-scarring battle,

Brother against a brother.

Could there be peace

On earth of grief

And in souls torn by curse?

Could there be peace

When questions asked

Return empty to the source?

Yes, peace came,

Came to earth,

God of peace as man.

And He’ll come again,

Reverse the trend,

And finish restoration began.

He comforts the broken,

Lays bare the masked,

To the ashamed gives worth,

Binds up the breaking,

Heals the aching,

Reversing the curse on earth.

He is our hope,

Hope for weary world,

Find Him and be refreshed.

He is our peace,

Peace come to earth,

Find Him and let your soul rest.