Goodbyes

Got to squeeze in about 8 hours trip to Dallas to see Gracie Lou!

Shared a cheese plate with wine while watching the Rangers Game at Bolsa in the Bishop Arts District.

Aaaand this is where I lost her: candy section of Central Market.

Celebrations at restaurants = free cake.

Also, when you have a fantastic waiter, equals recomendations for restaurants to name drop.

The goodbyes are getting harder, as it becomes real that I am moving, not just going away for the Summer. Am I as confident as I think I am?

"for the LORD will be your confidence"

Provers 3:26

Two things I will miss about Austin:

My Mama, and Farmer's Markets.

More Like Falling in Love

Give me rules
I will break them
Give me lines
I will cross them

I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes

Give me words
I'll misuse them
Obligations
I'll misplace them 

'Cause all religion ever made of me
Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet

It never set me free
It's gotta be

More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance

In more than a name, a faith, a creed
Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me

Love these lyrics from Jason Gray's song More Like Falling in Love.

We all have (some more than others) rolled our eyes when listening to the Christian radio staion, it can be a little cheesy. The other day I was driving (what I do when I'm restless but have a semi-broken toe so can't run: i.e. don't feel like running), and was really paying attention to these words.

I had just had a conversation with someone, which honestly broke my heart. This idea that people view Christianity as a check list of "ought tos" and not a relationship with Jesus. They see a bunch of tests from God, rather then Him revealing His best intentions for us.

Love that last line, "falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me".

This is such a challenge I find myself facing, conveying that the change inside of me is not the result of rules. We need to be calling others to fall in love with Jesus, and to not be preaching a religion that simply exposes sinners and leaves them with  "a stone tied to their feet".

encouraged and discouraged

Pondering recent conversations on reasoning (which I am usuing reasoning to speak my point), I sit here staring at the ceiling not knowing if I'm enouraged or discouraged.

Encouraged, because I see the need for reasoning and I'm going to school to become equipped in this, but discouraged because I think, "what's the point"? We are told to not cast our pearl's before swine, and that "fertile soil" must exist before the seed is thrown. Heart change is completely out of our control, and reasoning (in the conext of the gospel) is considering foolishness to those who are perishing. 

I think of 2 Corinthians 10:5

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Here's to taking every though captive for the sake of obedience to His comandments. Specifically thinking about evangelism and looking to Paul's example in reasoning with non-believers in Acts 17 & 18.

Au Revior, Baby Seal, Don't Talk to Sharks.

My precious girls got me a beautiful necklace and earings! Love them so much and already feel like I am leaving a chunk of my heart behind in Austin.

We had a simple come-and-go goodbye on the Whole Foods roof, so happy so many people were able to come out! I am truely blessed by such great fellowship in Austin!

I had a tough time explaining the seal joke, not because my words failed me, but because I heard myself saying something like this...

"Well, you know, we all have our baby animal aliases"

"Huh?"

Baby deer, bear, giraffe, koala, fox, otter, puma, polar bear, owl. You will be missed.

Cousins.

Going to miss her big time. Like BIG time, my heart already aches.

Hey Soul Sista

Harris gang! This family has such a sweet place in my heart!

Tyler representing.

Debra, my sister, and I have branched out from Tyler's Philosophy Club and created our own in Austin! Her counsil and friendship has been such a blessing, especially in the context of the recent decision to go to Seminary! 

Cousins!

I love so much that my roomates know all my family from the past couple Thanksgivings, and that though I am moving, they will still be included in our family tradition!

Love the candids.

It is so nice to have Aunt and Uncles so close, that have been to generous and hospitable over the years!

Twin, Kram, cutest baby ever, Taylor aka kindred spirit.  

Favorites.

Smiles.

Rikki!

Favorite Far Side

Love Your God With all Your Mind



Love Your God With all Your Mind

by J. P. Moreland

This was the first (and only because now I'm moving) book we went through in our Philosophy Club - Austin branch. This book was personally very timely as I prepare to Glorify God with my mind by going through Seminary. We met once a week and discussed a section (give or take. Sometimes I monoplogize conversations and 2 hours goes out the window. Is that a Spiritual Gift?)

Moreland talks historically about what has happened in the decline of intellectualism, and the affects on living out the Christian walk. We are not left left to be discouraged in light of this, but rather an importance is stressed and direction is laid out for fighting anti-intellectualism. All the writing is based on scripture, and he points out examples/roles of the Sprit, Jesus, and the disciples.  He talks through appologetics, evangelism, fellowship, worship, and vocation.

This is a great one to study in a group, to really discuess application and accountability. His book is inspiring, exciting, and motivating.