•
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 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.
•
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.
Jump
•
Ready?
Peanut Butter and Nutella on wheat. A 30 year old homeless gentleman named Frankie. CitiGroup shares fall 50% and now considered to big to be allowed to fail. New wiper blades on an unwashed suv. A to do list not yet made. Pages of Truth. @screenname. Friends living in a tent. Trust. Fundamental change inching forward. Flannel and insulation taking the streets. Selfishness paraded as selflessness. Hope. Tension and Tightfistedness all wearing neckties. Righteousness overlooked by all men. Christmas gifts judiciously thought about. Thankfulness to the Prince of Peace. The Future thought about but not depended on. Anxiety stealing the invaluable. Christ Lifted Up. Stacks of books unread. 1 Parable weighing on the heart. Wikipedia.org. Gnocchi From Scratch. Winter facial hair trimmed or unkempt. Price increase at the market. iPhone update.
Human ability to influence is exponentially growing; all bets are off regarding predictability and order. There are no more rules, lets just face it. The Strategy: ONLY CHARACTER CAN TRULY WIN. Where are those who will pay the price to be real? We cry because we wish it would change things, but we cry because we haven’t yet seen God take the stage. We stammer because we find ourselves somewhere on the playing field alone with no more turning to make. We are in the fight. Unwilling to go back, the worn out soles are the farthest from important now. Food is expensive and we are losing faith in this form of nourishment. Christ calms the anxious heart tonight with the gentle touch that only the strongest have. His word speaks and my ear is pressed in a little closer. Uncertainty seems like the only guarantee if you keep the book closed. We must keep reaching out and fight off the turn inward. Discipleship and evangelism until HE comes.
Jump
