Reflecting Back

"As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart."

Proverbs 27:19 

I was thinking yesterday about reflections and our appearances as Christians. What do we reflect? Ourselves? The world? Our sins? or Christ?

Instantly thinking of reflections I thought about one of my favorite artists, Norman Rockwell.

"Self-Portrait"

I know this seems random but I think of this. What do we see in the mirror? And is what we see acurate to what other people see?

So, I leave tomorrow to go to Panama and since this is always a concern of mine I think on this often, especially now when I know I am going to a place where everyone is watching what I am doing and why I am doing it, not just because I am a Christian but also because I am an outsider (Needtobreathe shout out!). I don't belong and I am really different and funny sounding. I don't speak the language well and I hardly understand the dialec. So its seems like a lose-lose situation but in reality all of that does not matter. Because, they are watching me and I hope because I consciously make an effort to reflect Christ that they see that, regardless of me being a gringo and regardless of the language barrier. God is so much more than that.

So think on this, in a spiritual sense, if you had to paint a self-portrait what would it reflect? and if stranger had to paint you would it look the same? And does either of them reflect Christ? Think hard about this because in a melting pot world your only testimony may be what you reflect.

Let there be light!

The Arctic Light from TSO Photography on Vimeo.

I found this on woohome.com today and I just think it is a goreous video. This is a time lapse video of multiple setting and it just shows the most gorgeous light I have seen. The sun from so many different perspectives.

It makes me think of this:

"3 And God said, 'Let there be Light,' and there was light. 4 God saw the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness."                                   Genesis 1:3-4

What a time that must have been! I can only imagine the immense light that poured forth and God's hands delicately but purposely separating the dark from the light. A division between contrasting creations, total opposites that consuming one another. It must have been incredible...

As I ponder across the idea of what that must have been like I then wonder, How do we become children of light?(Eph 5:8) I know we were once dark, but how could we ever start as one and become the opposite? Oh the power of Christ's sacrifice. I can not conceive an idea of it. I only pray each day that God uses that power through me.

April

A New Adventure

Here we go. Just love this photo.

Powell St. Through Union Square

So, I had a couple of tickets I received from college graduation that was about to expire so I decided hey lets go to San Francisco. A place of epic architecture, gorgeous nature and several cultural experiences. Here is my overview and the next few posts can be some more focused thoughts.

The architecture here is amazing. in the picture above you can just see the extremes the roads and buildings are created at. This road here was where the famous cable cars road up. We were told they are still ran the way they were when they began.

This cable car here is being pushed around by hand! I was just in total shock. It was such a neat ride.

While on the cable car I got to have a little people watching experience. Lots of different lives and experiences going on. We passed the known-to-be hippie area Haight-Ashbury. We passed through Chinatown. Just all different and unique on their own. Each group we passed all I could think of is, where is God in all of this? Is there a light here in San Fran? I looked and listened. The jury is still out on these questions.

Here is a church in the distance on the train. I definitely think this is where all of my thoughts began. This particular church was out in the middle of Daly City between the airport and downtown San Francisco. Houses and businesses rolled over the hillside and this one spotted out in the middle of what looked like a housing spectacle. Incredible.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

Matthew 5:14

I have begun to pray for San Francisco. Not necessarily because I feel like I have a role there but that there is a light there. 

This is just some more of the architectural heights you can see throughout San Francisco. After walking the streets and see the bridge up close from a boat and just exploring I just don't even know what that place would be like after an earthquake or another disaster. Wild! I know it's depressing to think that way but after Japan it is hard not to. 

Now to lighten up the mood I do have to say, it is gorgeous!

It is such a beautiful place and I just hope there people there who are working on the hearts there as well.

Now that my thoughts are out, here are some more previews of what I got to experience.

My beautiful mom in Union Square.

Woah, It's Monday?

Sometimes with all that is going on with the weekend I don't even realize its Monday until it hits me, and hits me hard. Today has been especially hard for me. First off, I didn't want to come to work today, I just wanted to stay in my hammock like I did yesterday(when you see the photo you will be jealous). Second, it is a very slow day, for two reasons I think. 1. It is Monday and 2. Im leaving for San Fran for the weekend on Thursday and I think the more I wish it would come the slower it gets. Finally, there is nothing exciting to do. No new projects, all the marketing is up-to-date and receiving, well, is never exciting.

With all that said, I still can't complain. The weekend was amazing. <insert relaxing picture here>

After church and after lunching for Mother's Day (Love you Mom) I spent a little time in my hammock with the Lord. It was relaxing, refreshing, revitalizing...and the list could go on. I was such at peace. I just love those moments. It allowed for me to be reassured(another "r" word) that I am exactly where God wants me to be. Constantly I want to get out and go. I want to be an active journalists now. Or I want to be in the mission field NOW (seriously). But, when I sit back and listen, just listen, I am given the ability to hear and focus on what God has to say right now.

It is easy to get uncertain and concerned about what we are supposed to be doing and where exactly we are supposed to be at 23 years old, then we get lost in the thoughts and miss what God has for us right now in this moment. We are blind to are divine appointments that have already been made for us. I continue to struggle with the fact that what I want may not be what I to be right now or ever, and where I want to be may not be the place I am supposed to be. I just have to continue to trust and listen to God (instead of the insanity of this world). He has already blessed me with so much why am I concerned that He won't continue to do the same? ("This is the stuff" by:Francesca Batistelli totally just came to mind, definitely the song that gets me going in the mornings right now.) God makes promises and He keeps His promises. Gosh, I wish that would just stick for me, I hate forgetting that.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

                                              Jeremiah 29:11

Wow.

So, back to Monday, since I have nothing to do I thought I'd share the few "bored" photos I took with my iPhone. Oh, how I do appreciate my iPhone. (Yes I was still working...this was mostly during lunch)

Enjoy!

Staples could totally hire me.

Why I Love My Singles Ministry

There are so many ways that I could express why I love the people God has brought into my life but I think that this could give anyone a little peek into Brushy Creek Young Professionals' unique personalities.

I just love these people and everyone I spent time with this weekend. Sometimes you just need that fellowship to just assist in clearing up what a mess your thoughts and mind could be in.

Lately I have been trying to figure out how I can further use my skills to further God's kingdom. I am content where I am at and for the most part what I am doing. I know God has a plan for me in this "right now" moment. The reason I have such discomfort in my thoughts is because I feel like sometimes I don't use what God has blessed me with, like I am wasting my gifts. This weekend I have found peace that I should not continue to worry about what I am not doing but focus on the right now and what I am doing. I know God hasn't opened the doors I have been staring at lately but He will in time open me up to exactly (once again) where He wants me to be.

There is one thing I do know.

I love this group of people and I thank God for how each of them has encouraged me and been great representatives of what it means to follow hard after Christ.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

Proverbs 27:17