A friend once told me "resting is the greatest act that we can do as christians. we rest in God and He does the work. it is the result of faith in the moment..."

Well, at a conference I was at this week, one of the biggest takeaways I had on a personal level was this idea of 'Sabbath''. Yes, it should be simple. As a Christian, I should understand what it means to take a Sabbath, but I have never really taken one.

I am taking one tomorrow morning. For the fist time in years, or perhaps really ever... I am going to Schuler's, getting some chai tea, and working through this list of questions:
1) What is it that gives me rest?

2) What is it that brings my soul peace?

3) What, for me, is life-giving?

Once I figure that out, then I move on to:

1) How do I incorporate this sabbath/rest into my life?

2) How do I sort my fragemented community out into more of a unified, cohesive movement?

3) How often/for how long do I need to take this sabbath?

For many, I am sure that this does not sound to you like a Sabbath. But for me, to be able to get away on my own, spend time wrestling with these big questions...it is truly something my soul needs and finds joy in.

So, to everyone, i encourage you to rest in God this weekend. Rest in him and let him put you back together...
-M

I found this in my journal, back from November 5...

I had just found out that my best friend, and major support system, was moving far away. And I wrote this:

"One of my foundational influences is leaving.

First it was Cam.
Then Brad.
Now Ben.
Who's next?
Sarah? Kim? Jenny?

What do you have waiting for me? What are you preparing me for?"

Well, I still don't have an answer. One thing I do know is that I certainly have learned how to handle people leaving or moving much better than I did in the past. :0)

But sometimes I wonder how long it can last. I mean, how long can someone really remain one of your dearest friends when you are not a part of the intricacies of their everday life? Sometimes, I hear one of these friends saying things to me like "well, my friends agree..." or "my friends think this or that..." And I know this person isn't trying to exclude me as a friend in their life, but that language always begs the question "so...am I not one of your friends?" I am no longer included in that grouping.

But then, how many times do I talk to Jesus and say "well, my friends all advise me that I should do X, Y or Z..."
And how many times does he think "your friends? Melinda, am I not your heavenly father who knows infinitely what is best for you?"
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Oh, and for all you avid readers, go pick up a copy of NT Wright's Simply Christian. A great book, I promise you.

-M

Irony

Tonight, as I sat at Mars Hill, for the first time I missed Ben. I was overcome by the cruel irony of life: that I live in this city and take this church and Rob's teaching being so easily available to me for granted, and I do not go. Meanwhile, my best friend and his wife called Mars their home, and were loyal and faithful to the church. Now, life has called him to Seattle, WA. There, there is another Mars Hill church. But it's not this one. It's not their home.

I sat in my chair, wondering how on earth I got to be in the very place Ben & Amanda would most want to be, and am still taking it for granted...
-Melinda

From the article the search for significance in the latest Radiant magazine:

"Based on my work among college women and young professionals, I will venture to say that the drive for significance in many young women today is rooted in the desperation to feel known and to know that our lives count."


Wow. All I can say to that is one big 'Amen!'

Changes.

I feel as though a new season in my life is beginning. And that is so exciting!

Yet, while it is exciting, with something new often comes letting go of something else. And, in my case, this is sad. I can't reveal what the letting go is, or what changes may be ahead. All I know is that change, big change, is in my future.

But, it is good to do uncomfortable things. So I press on, trying to draw closer to my God through this season of change.

-Melinda

Reading this passage in the Message was so refreshing, and so convicting, I thought i would share with you all...

Matthew 5:43-48 (The Message): "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that."In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

"God is neither above moral law nor below it. Rather, moral law is an expression of God's very being. And when we look at justice through this lens, we see that God is just and therefore acts justly. God can't suspend justice any more than God can cease being God."
-Miroslav Volf