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I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately…
5 days in 1 paragraph
If the woods were graffiti covered and thousands of years old, then I am in the rainforest. I would love to go back and describe in detail: the single-serving day of a journey in the air, the lost luggage which turned out to be a huge blessing, the 12 hour nap, discovering a bidet in my apartment, haggling with an Italian speaking bengladeshi man over the price of boxers, Isaiah 40-53 and pages written in a journal, friends at the coffee shop downstairs, homemade gnocchi served in a room buzzing with locals and no open tables, deep fried mozzarella and proscuitto on a stick, 45 estimated kilometers walked, pistachio gelato, zabaglione gelato, nutella gelato, piles of cheese, proscuitto, and bread, reading II Timothy in front of the prison that Paul sat in to write it, 3…4…5..am conversations back to the USA through my best friend skype, finding my limitations and the power of communication, still nights looking over the city in prayer, moved beyond words, information overload, mental exhaustion and days of conversations just beyond my reach, anticipation for what God will do and being humbled by His perfectly firm and gentle touch. But I really don’t have time to rehash the past 5 days.
Today in 3 paragraphs
I awoke this morning to a warming roman sun against my sleepy eyes remembering the manner in which I fell fast asleep. It was Friday morning. Gabriele leaves for Milano and Orvieto and therefore I must stay in a hostel for the next two nights due to his agreement with his landlord. I showered and arranged everything in such a way that a choleric (such as Gabriele) would be proud. I now had the next three days items in my backpack and set of for “The Yellow” ranked as the fourth best hostel in the world last year by everyone who uses hostelworld.com (a very popular way to book hostels around the world.)
I began the 5km walk with a self made panino in hand and knowing the city well enough now I didn’t ask for directions. Arriving, I have discovered a new definition of the word “purgatory” this place is a hostel/bar that encourages every vice and addiction with very cheap prices and if you’re good at languages you can work here too. So, purgatory then, is a place that squeezes the sin out of every culture like a bruised lemon, swallows the seed and serves another shot in their famous Mr. Hyde shot glasses…while enjoying Jay-Z rapping “99 problems”. You work and live here and don’t need to leave, I mean really. They have thought of everything that any 20 something would absolutely love. Free WiFi, ability to rent laptops with first 30 minutes free, super “cool” interior, no limits except no sex in the mixed rooms, and cursing in their packet of rules. Pub crawls, skype headsets, cheap food, and even cheaper alcohol round out this metropolis. God, what am I doing HERE!!! (He’s always got a plan!)
So, all that said, I have set up my office here and am reading the Word and then going to find the university nearby to read history of WWI and learn some Italiano. There I expect to find some shade and beautiful old things to touch, think, and I hope some great conversations. Arriving here wondering at God why this is the hostel I am in, I was able to tell the receptionist Esther, the story of Esther. God’s word continues to be spoken and hopefully shouted with my life.
I am praying for you and can’t wait to download the REAL Church podcast on Sunday.
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Christ’s entire life must supply the norm for the Christian and
for the life of the whole Church. One has to take every particu-
lar aspect of Christ’s life straight from his baptism to his resur-
rection and show correspondence. What else does it mean to be
a Christian? - s.k.
resolved: simply, honestly, somehow…. I will find a way to show correspondance to each particular aspect of his life, “big and small” what a picture. what a challenge. but as always “At least we can admit our weakness instead of reducing the requirement.”
Andy
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give people time and they will tell you everything.
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Don’t hurredly rush after your end goal without determining in your heart to revel in the anticipation that gets you there. Anticipation is not necessary, things will happen whether you anticipate or not. But why leave the amazing gift of anticipation from our Father in Heaven, instead of getting the most out of it and appreciating the small, vulnerable, perfect moments ?
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Relax and take it all in. God wants us to suck meaning out of the seconds and minutes! Yet be prepared to live at his level and not your own.
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If you want to start something you have approach the starting line. God help us for the people who in their “maturity” don’t need to begin at the beginning! Think of one who enters movie after the protagonist has already entered the rising action and is nearing the climax. The climax is then experienced as one who would experience life out of focus. It’s the exposition that brings the striking clarity and meaning. We must begin at the beginning! Why don’t we want the exposition, the rising action . The small, true beginning. The intense struggle before the victory. The people who become involved along the way. We want the victory but then have no idea why it matters or where to go next. Certainly not to a beginning. God wake us from lying to ourselves and humbly walk with you beginning to end.
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If only we could experience enough of life it would leave us unsettled. Then we would no longer look to something to take us to the “edge”, we would already be there.
If we are familiar with life, we somehow have managed to sleep through all of the good parts, like the man who watches braveheart and walks away not getting it. “Why did William Wallace die?,” they would say.
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“In order to move forward we must rediscover our pioneer spirit, our first love, our creativeness. So that those who were never told of Him will see Him. Those who have never seen Him will get THE MESSAGE.” - Chilly Chilton version of 1 Corinthians 15:19-21
I think about this often I will never forget the first time I heard it.. Today it hits the blog again. Grab a cliché and refuse to let it do what it always does and breed contempt. So “Stop at Nothing.” The opportunity to rediscover can lead to someone’s radical salvation today!
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Captain, thank you for your vision and leadership, pioneers keep pioneering!
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“True wisdom and real power belong to God;
from him we learn how to live,
and also what to live for.
If he tears something down, it’s down for good;
if he locks people up, they’re locked up for good.
If he holds back the rain, there’s a drought;
if he lets it loose, there’s a flood.
Strength and success belong to God;
both deceived and deceiver must answer to him.
Father in Heaven, that my heart wouldn’t waver in this pursuit overtaking my heart. I feel so far from true wisdom and real power, and yet remember how far you have brought me. I desire nothing but to become a real servant of God fitted with His true wisdom. I pray for your sovereign rule to joyfully fill my heart this morning, as each morning. That I would revel in the acting hand of God and not merely the outcome and how it affects me. That you would find my faced fixed toward you. You are working. I will yet bring honor to your name.
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We could at least be truthful before God and admit our weakness instead of reducing the requirement. -S.K.
I found myself in the Gospels (Vangeli) and pondering belief. Christ, upon being asked what men should do, (John 6) answered, believe in He who was sent. That is the requirement, believe in Jesus. Yet, many will habitually and continually make up stories about their weak belief being strong, instead of praying about their unbelief. I am admitting mine this week. God help me overcome my unbelief. “His power is very great for those of us who believe.”
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When you say something that has already been said, you find yourself on level playing ground. The only question is if you truly believe what you have said.
Half-a-world-away is now only an expression
Psalm 65.5 You answer us in amazing ways, God our Savior. People everywhere on the earth and beyond the sea trust you.
I Have seen God undeniably show up to those who have called on him in Truth.
I know I will see it again. He is faithful.
What do you, right now, want most?
If you trust another man’s holiness you will always get far less than you bargain for. Decide for yourself at once.
I keep coming back to some of the same old questions, equally, I am gaining new ones.
taking ground by faith.
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