Currently Reading The Everlasting Man By G. K. Chesterton see related

aaaahhhh.....

I've had a really good, restful time at home with my family this week; there is something amazing about being at my grandmother's house on Christmas day surrounded by 18 family members.

If you haven't read the Everlasting Man by Chesterton, you're missing out. It makes me freak out in amazement all over again about the fact that I'm made in the image of God. It not only makes me think about the honor attached to it, but also the responsibility. I'm going to my dad's on Sunday, and I'll probably go fishing with him again! Then it's off to SALT; I've seriously been praying about those days; I know it's going to be amazing, and I'm praying that people will be ready to hear from God. 

eating death

I've been stuck on the story in the book of John where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. We can learn so much about God's character from this particular story, but there is one that stuck out to me the most. The story says that just before Jesus went to bring Lazarus back to life, he was weeping. 

I read some more about this part in a commentary, and the writer said he could have been crying for one of two reasons: either he was frustrated that Mary, Martha and the others around him didn't have enough faith that he could bring someone back to life. It's true that their understanding of Jesus and his power were lacking, but they were loyal to him. It's important to know that loyalty is the mark of a true disciple of Christ, even when we don't quite understand what he is up to. We gain understanding through our loyalty. It would be easy to be loyal if we understood everything, and that wouldn't require faith.

The other theory about why Jesus cried is that he was downright frustrated with death and the sway that it had over humanity. He was confident in his power over it, but the fact that it was there in the first place enfuriated him. He was saddened because it hurt him to see his own people grieve and suffer loss. In the book of Isaiah, a beautiful picture is painted of God's people being with him and eating together at a large feast. It says that while they are enjoying the feast, the Lord will, "swallow up death forever." God is the only one with enough power and enough love to eat death; to conquer it completely. He will continue to weep and to intercede for us until we finally see him face to face. Paul says that one day we will know him fully, even as we are now fully known by him. 

Currently Listening Simply Nothing By Shawn McDonald see related

This has been quite a beautiful week. Despite a little gunk in my throat that's been following me around, I can't complain. The leaves are falling, the weather is almost perfect (could be a little cooler) and I have some great people in my life. The Lord knows how to give good gifts to his children! 

By the way, the rest of my break was great. I got to go fishing with my dad on Sunday along with a friend of his. We rode in a big bass boat across the bay and went about 65 mph across the water. Between the three of us, we caught about 60 trout. I caught 13 in two hours!! 

Translation in Wingdings (that's right, it's a little known fact that I'm bilingual).

This has been quite a beautiful week. Despite a little gunk in my throat that's been following me around, I can't complain. The leaves are falling, the weather is almost perfect (could be a little cooler) and I have some great people in my life. The Lord knows how to give good gifts to his children! 

By the way, the rest of my break was great. I got to go fishing with my dad on Sunday along with a friend of his. We rode in a big bass boat across the bay and went about 65 mph across the water. Between the three of us, we caught about 60 trout. I caught 13 in two hours!! 

Home!

 Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I learned something new today; if turkeys look upward when it's raining, they could drown. That's number 17 on my list of reasons why I don't want to be a turkey. If you'd like to hear the rest of the reasons, let me know and I'll write a post on that.

Anyway, here are some photos from my time at home so far...

Me. 

Muffin on his throne.                                                      

Mom (she made the fixin's)

My stepdad (he deep-fried the turkey; it was amazing!)

My sis (in the plaid) and her friend.

More pictures to come when I go to my dad's this weekend!