the random

Everything affects everything else.

I think any good leader or true hero experiences a loneliness that is impossible to explain.

I am convinced that deciding is far greater than being absent from your moment to choose.

Existential isn’t what the problem is, it’s that those afraid to be truly existential walk into a crowd that always wears the mask of the existential. Existentialism isn’t dangerous if a person is willing to stand alone.

constant adjustment.

I am listening to Ludovico Einaudi right now and it’s amazing.

Ask again. It throws people off and opens doors.

I have only been disappointed when my hope has been in myself.

See Good. Be Good. - Don’t move until you see it.

1 degree turns hot water into boiling water. 1 decision is infinitely important.

It’s not that we can’t see but that we can’t seem to see in a new way.

It’s not about what we intend. It’s not about what seems right. It’s about what is right.

just some thoughts

Jump

I went to the woods….

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.

showing correspondence

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

people and time

give people time and they will tell you everything.

non me lo so spiegare

Dear friends:

scrambled eggs : the french way : fried?

Monday:

I woke up this morning as I often do, on a sofa in the house of someone else . Over the weekend I purchased some amazing groceries from eastern market and swore off all trips to establishments that require money for the week. I use only fresh ingredients so I was a like a little school girl when I returned with the plunder of my trip, but that is neither here nor there. Let us return. Monday morning I woke up and glancing around the room saw my dear friend Steve cooking. Upon closer investigation he was making eggs with fresh basil leaves and parmigiano reggiano. Immediately I learned that these were not scrambled eggs but fried fluffy eggs the french way, with a little lemon juice to top this "strangely intriguing" dish off, we rejoiced in the God of all sunlight beaming through the windows the moment at hand.  I opened the Bible and let the Detroit sun warm the pages my fingers turned.

psalm 116:7  I said to myself, "Relax, because the Lord takes care of you.

matthew 5:4 They are blessed who grieve, for God WILL comfort them.

psalm 108:1 God, my heart is steady.  I will sing and praise you with all my being.

I once said that if I could be a professional in anything it would be communication. Everyone who knows me knows that I will be ever-striving not just to talk, but to communicate. I will do everything I can to have the right words and actions in every situation. Well I have seen myself at a loss for words recently and so the blog may seem random but its a collection from the mind. Heart to Head to Blog. Imagine me reading this and even perhaps envision a dusty room on a high floor of a crowded noisy apartment building with crumpled paper in and around a trash can to my left.  A small incandescent lamp illuminates my fingers, typewriter and the dust, but is clearly insufficient to light the small one room home/work space.  I am pouring over my work realizing that sometimes the first thoughts are the best thoughts.

With no words left I have God's. They don't fail.

p.s. some wonka…wisdom

MR. SALT: What is this, Wonka?  Some kind of fun house?

WONKA: Why, having fun?

MRS. TEEVEE: I've had enough.  I'm not going in there.

MR. BEAUREGADE: Come on, Violet, we're getting out of here.

WONKA: Oh, you can't get out backwards.  You've gotta go
forwards to go back.  Better press on.

whoa…that's deep

Andy

Tom

for the love

Rescue the perishing; 
   don’t hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, “Hey, that’s none of my business,” 
   will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know— 
   Someone not impressed with weak excuses.

Confusing

The chief paradox, one thing terribly confusing amongst those who
follow Christ is how easily we seem to leave each other alone.

Andy

Sent from my iPhone