Far as the curse is found.

Them, singing: “He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.”

Her, tasting the words, tasting their meaning.

Them, continuing: “Far as, far as the curse is found.”

Her: Abba?

Her Father: Yes, child?

Her: How far is “far”?

Her Father: Well, child, how far has the curse reached?

Her: Everywhere!  Everywhere I look, Abba.  Far up as up can go, far down as down can go, far east and west as east and west can go.  And far inside, too, Abba.  Far, far inside.

Her Father: Yes, child.

Her: And “His blessings” — Your blessings, Abba — reach that far?

Her Father: “Far as the curse is found,” child.

Her, nodding the truth into her heart: Yes … Yes, now I understand the celebration, Abba.

—

Merry Christmas, “far as the curse is found.”

Risk only life.

First heard these lyrics at Hume Lake early in high school, over 10 years ago.  I hadn’t thought about this song in years, but yesterday, a “few good men” at church inspired this song’s reprise.

Do you have the faith to stand?

No, don’t bow down, this is disgrace
Who do you live your life to please?
Risk only life, don’t risk your soul

(Stand by Everybodyduck)

Go again.

Spurgeon on unanswered prayer: “Go again.”

This, he says, is faith’s response.  Go again.

And again.

And again.

Thanksgiving doesn’t end.

Bits from Thanksgiving week, weekend to weekend:

1. A rainbow to mark the end of retreat as we were driving down the mountains.  His promises reach into the valley, too.

2. Thanksgiving Day.  A day of so many different things.  But by the last bookend, a day of one thing — gratitude.

3. Breakfast with the little cousins.  One-half of them still in her pajamas.  :]

4. Matching boat shoes — one brown, one purple.  It was the purple ones’ first time at the San Francisco Ferry Building.  They witnessed the purchase of some wedding bands later that day, too. :]

… and thanksgiving continues.  Because the faithful Reason for thanksgiving continues, too.

A better Provision.

Better the Manna comes from above than all the meat and leeks of Egypt.  God forbid that I eat of Slavery’s provision and refuse the Bread, free and freeing, that comes from His merciful hands.  For of Egypt I eat, and with every unblessed meal become leaner and leaner in soul.  But oh my soul, I have a better Provision.

Oh my soul, you have a better Provision.

Christlike discipling means giving our lives.

Does “disciple all nations” not call to mind how Jesus himself “discipled” his men?  They were, after all, his “disciples.”  And when they heard him say, “disciple all nations,” would they not think this discipleship is what he did with them — investing prolonged, real-life, day-in, day-out, intentional time with younger believers in order to bring them to maturity as well as model for them how to disciple others in the same way?

… Discipleship, seen in this light, entails not merely the pursuit of spiritual maturity but the need for personal connection and substantial intentional investment of time, the kind of investment for which there must be going to accomplish.  Jesus spent three years with his twelve disciples.  He called them to be discipled at the outset of his ministry (Matt. 4:19), and he gave them the lion’s share of his life until his departure in Matthew 28.  He invested his life in these men.  It is amazing to track in the Gospels how much Jesus gave of himself to his disciples.  The crowds pursued him, but he pursued his disciples.  He was willing to bless the masses, but he invested in the few.

(John Piper, A Holy Ambition: To Preach Where Christ Has Not Been Named, pp. 24-25)

M’mom.

With my mom at my bridal shower this past Saturday.  I kept stealing glances at her throughout the shower.  She was laughing and smiling so much.  I think I could’ve just watched her the whole time.  Her willingness to enter so fully into her daughter’s joys despite everything broke my heart with gratitude.  Surely this is His kindness.

She also told everyone about how I shaved half my eyebrows off when I first tried shaving/plucking my eyebrows in junior high.  And how I’d sneak on make-up at school and wipe it off before coming home.  And how she’d catch me with the remnants on my face.  Yup.  That’s m’mom.  Keepin’ it real. ;]

3 seasons and JD.

In the Bay Area this year, Subtle Autumn was ousted by Greedy Summer and Impatient Winter.  Or maybe Autumn was too shy and forgot her lines.

Either way, she was missed this year.

Maybe next year.

Hello, Winter.

And hello JD, our adorable ringbearer-to-beee.  :]  You in a winter beanie makes up for autumn’s loss.

On schedule.

This song came on Pandora at work this morning.

Well, this day’s been crazy
But everything’s happened on schedule
From the rain and the cold to
The drink that I spilled on my shirt

(Caedmon’s Call)

And I just had to laugh.  Partly because I was tickled.  Mostly because I was comforted.  :]

Words of truth from a little friend.

This morning, when I arrived at work, I had a note on my desk.  Words of Life neatly printed, illustrations colored with much care and detail. Thoughtful, sweet exhortations from a young but wise friend.

As I read her note, Scripture came to mind, expelling many lies with the single thought: “As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.”  How is it that He prompted her to color His truth into my heart today?  Timely exhortations to remember my Light, to be ready for His return, and to extend vertical peace horizontally to those around me.

Thankful for His tenderness.  And for a certain 8-year old whose middle name is Hope.  :]

Today, she was Abba God’s tender touch.