Sunny Days

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Reporting from Florida…yes, I am in Florida!! I actually haven’t written a proper update in some time, and unfortunately I don’t have too much time at the moment to give you all one! Watching the Rays-White Sox game at the moment(Rays up 2-1, top of the ninth!) but about to watch Shawshank Redemption with dad(finally going to see if it’s worth all the hype!) with some homemade apple pie, mmm…

And now movie time. Maybe I’ll give you all a proper update laters. Maybe. But for now, just know this – while I have yet breath in my body, I will give praise to the LORD!

Seven Pillars

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The fear of the LORD is
the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of
the Holy One is understanding.
-Proverbs 9:10

If I could only always remember this!! There is a foolishness that masquerades as cleverness and there is a grave that masks itself with the ever sweeter perfume of piety and there is a well-paved path that leads to the gates of hell. And there is a wisdom that looks as folly and there is a grave that is empty and there is a little-trod path that leads to the presence of God Himself.

Oh, for the love of Jesus, who found us when we could not see! Oh for the love of Jesus, who knew us when we did not know Him! Oh for the love of Jesus, who saved us when we could not live! Oh for the love of Jesus, who lifted us when we could not move! Oh for the love of Jesus, who loved us when we could not love! Oh for the love of Jesus!!

The Homestretch

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And now almost time for bed(especially as I’m currently trying to avoid getting any sicker than I already am..) but just wanted to mention how totally awesome today was!! Playing paintball for the very first time with amazing friends(including Steven, Anna, Alec, Pip…) on a beautiful Scottish day, sun shining bright and blue skies abounding…yes, this all equals good times. Chilling with friends having fun on a Saturday afternoon…driving home to epic music(Snow Patrol, Lecrae, Muse, Coldplay…y’know)…us all deciding that having an ice cream snack is always a good idea…also equals good times! Just now finished watching Florida win a hard-fought game vs. UCLA in the NCAA tourney – Sweet Sixteen, YES. And so today has been a sweet day. And more than all this, I am reminded by the great and incomprehensible love of Jesus. Why do I ever doubt the goodness of the Lord? Don’t ask me. I’m silly, what can I say? And now, as I feel my feeble grasp at coherence finally give way…I think it is time for sleep.

Green olive tree

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The wanderer turns his head
and sighs
at the beauty of the skies.

A grasp of moonlight
beckons in
from blushing day
to richer night
ever purer
ever light.

A path of moonlight
beckons on
from softer black
to deeper blue
ever honeyed
ever true.

A laugh of moonlight
beckons up
from colder earth
to star strewn sight
ever blissful
ever right.

The wanderer turns his head
and cries
at the witness of the skies.

Ostrakinos

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And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach
The gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release
To the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,
To proclaim the favorable year of
the LORD.”
And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Wow. That must have simply amazing to be one of those there and hear those words from Jesus’ mouth, stating that prophecy had been fulfilled that very day and declaring Himself to be the prophesied Messiah, the Saviour of His people!! I read this passage recently and it just struck me quite strongly, how amazing a thing it was for the God of the universe to come down to this earth, to fallen ones like us. And one day, He shall come again! And this next time, He will come in all his power and might and it will be glorious!! And I feel quite humbled knowing that we have such a Saviour and such a Father and such a Mediator and such a God. And now that I have talked quite a bit, I feel like quoting some other passages that I’ve much enjoyed recently, but it would be a bit awkward to quote the whole book of Hebrews. Aw, you all don’t mind, right. Right?? Well, I will quote one of my favorite bits then:

Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,
“This is the covenant that I will
Make with them after those days,
says the LORD:
I will put My laws upon their heart,
And on their mind I will write them,”
He then says,
“And their sins and their lawless deeds
I will remember no more.”

Amazing. And…

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

And….

I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.
This poor man cried,
And the LORD heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps
Around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.

O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

O look to Jesus! Look to Him and be saved!!

And…I may have been carried away a tad with all the quoting(Luke 4:14-21, Hebrews 10:11-17, Hebrews 12:1-2, Psalm 34:5-8). My bad.

But I couldn’t really help it.

Sometimes I feel like I should write more of my earthy feelings and sensual emotions…but I can’t keep from writing what is on my heart and in my soul!! In the balances of eternity…all else is but rubbish. Just let me leave you with one of my all-time favs…

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the
GLORY OF THE LORD,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from
the LORD, the Spirit.

Paradicsom

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Indeed, while following the way
of your judgments, O LORD,
we have waited for you eagerly;
Your name, even Your memory,
is the desire of our souls.
At night my soul longs for You,
indeed, my spirit within me
seeks You diligently…
-Isaiah 26:8-9

Mmm, may it always be so!!

And on another note entirely, having a random late night fish and chips supper with a dear friend while delighting in delicious conversation and heartfelt ponderings and sweet fellowship and joyous contemplations of the goodness of the LORD while sitting under the dancing stars above…total and complete awesomeness.

Twilight dreams

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So, it’s a beautiful Friday evening!! And there’s really no other reason for this update…just thought I’d continue the trend of me posting updates at an alarmingly high rate. Just about time to eat my delicious salad(with tomatoes, green peppers, red peppers, spring onions, a cucumber, green olives, feta, celery salt, onion powder, basil…olive oil and vinegar…mmmmmmm….)

But besides my upcoming dinner of awesomeness, just looking forward to a sweet evening with Anna and Steven(think we’re going to introduce Anna to The Unit…and if we’re really crazy/silly, we may just watch Fellowship of the Ring!! Steven’s never seen it, which me and Anna have decided must be remedied. The only question is…how important is sleep?).

And because I’m a bit hungry(yes, it’s almost 9pm and I haven’t had dinner yet), I’m off!

Stars in the sky

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Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests
but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW,
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed
—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—
continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
so that you may become blameless and pure,
children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.
Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky
as you hold firmly to the word of life.
And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ
that I did not run or labor in vain.
But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering
on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith,
I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
-Philippians 2:1-18

So yeah, couldn’t really cut that short. Beauty? Glory? Inexpressible joy? Yes, yes and a thousand times yes. And I really don’t think I can write any further thoughts on this…so let me just ask y’all to read that again and let yourself be washed in the glory of the Word. Bask in its beauty. Live in its joy. And let’s abide in Jesus. Forever and always. Because despite all that we do to tear away from Jesus, He holds us tight…nothing(not even ourselves!!) can take us from His almighty hand. And that, my dear friends, is joy indeed. Joy inexpressible and full of glory. And we sing!! Oh do we sing!

About a loving fire

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About to roll off to bed(in actuality, I should be doing that now!), but just wanted to quickly comment on the absolutely lovely last couple days I’ve had. Tonight, despite my exhaustion(because of too much awesome weekend fun times!), Steven came over(bringing some frozen pizzas with him…which didn’t stay frozen – or uneaten – long). And so we relaxed watching a few(and by a few I mean three!) episodes of the Unit…oh it’s awesome to have a friend like him I can relax on a sleepy Monday night with…

And last night..oh was it beautiful!!! I would so love to fully describe it to you all…but some things…yeah, I just can’t. Under veiled stars above and embraced by cold winds and and praying to our God and Father and enraptured by the love bestowed so graciously to us…oh there is little better than coming together with a dear friend in sweetest prayer and lovestruck wonder. Amazing love…how can it be????

Oh I will dance
on the heights and
sing in the depths,
my LORD,
my God,
my Saviour,
my Jesus!!!!

Vast of blessing

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Not quite sure why I decided to start writing now, since I really should be getting ready for church!! I’ve been meaning to write something all afternoon but have been getting distracted burning Laura(sister) a CD for her graduation present…(yes, even though it’s three months away) and been having sweet times listening to my new hymn album. Like I said yesterday, it’s pure awesomeness and you all should get it. I most highly recommend it.

And this morning was amazing times at church(is it ever *not* amazing times?) and then I went out with Aiysha and Sam for lunch before coming back home and doing some shopping for the week. And last night was…well…awesome? Can’t think of a better word. Steven, Maren and Anna were over and we got to feast on a sweet Hungarian dish(which was just delish and I’m going to make Anna give me the recipe!) and a supremely yummy classic German dessert(and no, I don’t remember what it was called. It was some German name, yeah) and most importantly, we enjoyed lovely times of talking and playing card games(introducing Steven and Maren to poker!!) and listening to music and just chilling out and enjoying the goodness of the LORD!! And as I drove them home, us all rocking out to “Eyes Open”(Snow Patrol) with the windows down and cold air rushing into the car, I rejoiced in sweet friendships… Oh our God is good!!!!!!

And now, church time. Peace!