Nostalgia.

I love the sense of nostalgia that I am currently engulfed in yet it floods my mind with things that I am not yet prepared to trade away.  Never to trade away forever, but moreso saying goodbye to wonderful memories of the past seven months in exchange for the future that has been laid before me.  The heart requires love to pulse through its veins in order to allow one to thrive.. and I feel that I have been loved and I can say I have equally loved.  I cannot remember a time when I have loved something more.  When you find the source of this affection in Christ, everything becomes more vibrant.. emotions, surroundings, senses, it all.  As I embark on this journey, the destination is the heart of it all.. the heart of the Father.. and the memories will only blossom more fervently in the process.

Love.

So I know that I am absolutely horrible at posting on here but I've found that other things in life are more valuable.  That is definitely something God has transformed in my life.. my need for material things.  It is so fleeting and I find it fitting that I played Material Girl in our street drama Doors, God had something huge planned in that. 

What is valuable then?

God.

God's creation.

God's people.

God's plans.

Simple.

I've been spending a lot of time talking to God about a selfless faith and at first it seemed utterly complicated and unreachable.  But God made it quite clear to me that a selfless faith is simple.. everything is quite simple.  If a child can have selfless faith, then I am missing something in my line of thinking: love.

The whole point of we're urging is simple love-- love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God.  Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into cul de sacs of gossip.  They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven't the remotest idea of what they're holding forth with such eloquence.  1 Timothy 1:5-7

And oh my dear Timothy, guard the treasure you were given!  Guard it with your life.  Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts.  People caught up in a lot of talk can miss the whole point of faith. 1 Timothy 6:20-21

God calls us to trust.. not to completely wander from issues, but often to just smile and know we have Him to take care of us.  A child doesn't understand everything his father does, but can lean on the fact that he will be safe, he will be loved, he will grow.  What would it matter if I had every answer for every event and word of the Bible, would it really bring me closer to God?  Would arguing over the issue of Evolution really mend a heart that is yearning for Jesus?  Absolutely not.  What were are urging is love.  Love is the answer, love is the key, love is what this world is passionate about and they need to know the love of Christ.  When one is in love, they don't need to know everything.. they know that they are valued and will never be forsaken.  Christ is beautiful and His love is pure.  A selfless faith can be found only at the root of the matter: the love of the Father to send His one and only Son so we may know Him.

God is good and He's called me back to staff at YWAM Boston this fall.  I have so much to learn and so far to go.. but God will get me through.  His love and provision are never failing.

Lots of lovin'

See you on the 31st.