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Jesus healed someone that never asked for it.

In Nain, the funeral procession was in progress and Jesus interupts the procession by telling the widow not to cry and then touches the coffin and the only son “wakes” up. The crowd was not asking, the mom was not asking and certainly the son was not asking. I don’t mean to say that this is the only time it happened, but I have never considered this before.

What does this say about God?

“13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ”Don’t cry!” he said. Luke 7“

THE FACTS:

• the woman was a widow
• since there was a large crowd this would seem to indicate she was well known
• the boy was an only child
• this is the only recorded time Jesus was in nain.

Jesus performed a miracle out of compassion that favored those who didn’t even ask or imagine this would happen. It wasn’t the eleventh hour, it was after the end. The credits of the movie had shown. There was no time on the clock.

“20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3“

A few more than 48 Hours until a crazy new chapter unfolds. I have no idea how this will play out except that God can do INFINITELY more than we might ask or think. The widow recieved compassion because of WHO GOD IS. The same goes for us. He is working miracles for us because of who He is and not just in response to our asking.

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God got me started in this. This being up to my neck with opportunity all the time, acting in belief with less than full information, presumption smashing as often as I make them, separation from rules while craving holiness. This calling out for Christ in the dark, candle lit, or sun shining full face with God’s creation stretching out before me, polishing silverware or greeting guests, in basements, second stories and walking on the street. In coffee shops never meeting a stranger always new people and faces. Leaps of faith with barely enough, more than enough. Exhaustion of senses, feelings, visions, and the kindling of all things new.

Father in Heaven, you will accomplish this work you began in me. I pray for these next 48 hours as you begin a new chapter in the lives of so many faithful I have met along the way.

Amen.

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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

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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.

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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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 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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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!