Random

A lot of times I'll use the word random to express that something simply happened unexpectedly. A week ago I had two different people say to me, after I used that word, that nothing was random. These people made me actually ponder randomness more and how much of our future is simply going to happen...

I thought about how I have dreams I remember, maybe tell a friend about, and eventually forget. Then some of those dreams actually happen sometimes a few months later. Sometimes a year later. I never thought about this before, but...what does this say about the future?

I had a friend of mine say that she has that happen to her too, except dreams about the spiritual realm, and that she thinks that God shows us glimpses of the future sometimes. As of now, I think that's a good answer. But still, I hadn't really thought about these dreams in relation to my idea of time and the so-called "unforeseen" future.

Some people say that God works in time with us. Well, He must know what’s going to happen in the future if He gives us dreams and prophecies of what’s going to happen.

And then there are those who use “spirits” to tell the future, and they’re not always wrong. And these "spirits" have been known to be "evil". So what does that mean? If evil spirits can see into the future, then why shouldn’t God?

Loneliness

...I read that a person who cannot wait in silence to simply be, who feels he needs to continuously be doing something is lonely...

Where is my focus?

Jesus had no outward look to attract us to him, nothing in the way he appeared to make us want him.

Where is my focus?

Jesus was hated and pushed aside by people. Pain was normal to him.

Where is my focus?

Still, Jesus took our sickness and carried our burdens.

Where is my focus?

The picture that is similar to Jesus' death is of a lamb being taken out to be slaughtered. He was pushed around and taken by hatred and injustice. He was beaten and mocked publicly. And with all this he didn't retaliate.

Where is my focus?

It was God's will.

Where is my focus?

Then, after Jesus went through all of this and gave his life to God by accepting an unjust death, he was given life again, new life and power, becoming what no man could be...a bridge between the souls of men and a life-giving Creator.

My friends, family...anyone reading this.

where

is

our

focus?

The look
The position
The reputation

I've been humbled by this today looking at Isaiah 53. That's why I'm writing this. I wish I wasn't so easily distracted by what fades away. This week I'm focusing on putting things in their place.

Que Bonita

A man was introducing me to his daughters, son, and wife and for some random reason I said to him, " que bonita ", which means " how beautiful ! " I felt really awkard and wondered, " where in the world did that come from ? " Thank goodness he didn’t take it the wrong way. We continued talking and I was relieved.

Words

My heart is found in the Creator’s arms resting in the place of perfect peace. No need for shadows to stand for me to hide. [I am hidden under the the wings of my Creator.] No need for great walls to be built to protect my body. Resting in deep breaths and a quiet whisper. No need to speak…

Let go of the fixing in your fingers. Let me fix what’s in the places of your heart. Simply do what I say. Drink deep in each day. Drink in deep the air you breathe. Don’t let time steal from you. In rest and peace you will always find greater life and greater joy.

Mexico City in the Rain (first few days)

"In Mexico City there are pictures and words staring at everyone passing by asking for attention (graffiti). Though there are bright colors that stand out, dirt seems to rest on nearly everything making it look older and more used. As of late cold has made its home among us in the streets and in our rooms. The only place I can really escape it is in my sleeping bag. Rain turns black and brown in the road. It bangs against the roof and the door asking to come in. People don’t stare as much as I thought they would, being foreigners, but they do stare. Those whom I’ve met have been very welcoming. Old VW beetles roam the streets, most of them taxis. Buses constantly pass, a man standing at the door telling people it’s destination."

(3/20/10)
These were only the first few days. Mexico City was much nicer than what I had anticipated...when it was sunny, which was most of the time.

The people are passionate, as I remembered from my childhood playing soccer with Mexicans until I was in 7th grade. They're vibrant, the people and the culture and the houses.

YWAM 2009 Update (Australia)