new language

i thought about my friend sara learning german for her mission trip and my sister and brother-in-law learning spanish in chile. i thought about how strange it is to progress in those stages of understanding, stages of being able to be who you are in another language, say your opinions, express your feelings, to be in sync.

i thought that to be a citizen of another country is much the same. and i thought about how we are citizens of a heavenly country, and so we belong to a new culture. and it makes sense that we progress in stages to fit into that language and culture too. we grow in small and frustrating increments. some days we feel fluent and some days we feel out of place and defeated, but we keep growing, settling and learning. over time we live our lives in a new way, in a new culture. we are ourselves within the confines of perfection; we are who we have always been but new. our bodies and tongues and minds slowly sync in with the native people of a world of full-strength beauty and full-strength peace and justice and joy. that's what this life is; a transition from speaking lies to truth, a shift from being shadows to being citizens of the day.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord, ” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you"

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! 

non-fiction

We did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

reading

i have sometimes not enjoyed reading the bible
i have sometimes found it difficult and hard

but i have never once regretted doing it. ever.

He is coming back again

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.

beginnings

how many dominos need to fall for it to be considered ‘the domino effect’? surely just one has to hit the other, surely the very first moment is as much a part of things at the last moment or the middle. the middle is more exciting but it’s not like the first 100 are preparatory and the last 10 are an optional conclusion. every connection in the domino set up is a part of that event, they’re just arranged in different places. in fact, the first few connections are essential to there being any later on.

fulfillment

I read Matthew 1-2 yesterday and before Jesus makes a single decision He has already fulfilled six prophecies

He was born in David's line
He was born to a Virgin
He was given the name Jesus
He was born in Bethlehem
He went to Egypt
He settled in Nazareth

by the time He hit primary school He already had an impressive resume that He was the Christ