The Quilt of My Life

The elevation of the woes of this life have subsided. I do not mean that they have gone away, for that would mean that I have left this place of human conscience to enter into the realm of God's celestial  shores of serenity. At this moment I am not feeling the pressure of all collapsing on me like that of ones oxygen being drained from its life source. 

I must confess I realize that pressure is a good thing and I among others ought to embrace it for it shows us truly who we are and who we are not. There have been many that have stated that truth, but it is one that ought to be revisited at least once a day if not shortly there after, for the reason that we believe we arrive well before we actual have. Even when we arrive to an understanding of ourselves or of the circumstance we still really have not arrived, at least in my perspective. I am considering the words of the Apostle Paul when he stated that, "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." (1 Cor. 13:12) There will be a day I believe with great conviction that I will know fully as I am known fully by God my Lord, Savior, and Creator.

The uncertainty of this life has proved itself once again of a young man leaving this world in an manner that was peaceful, but sudden. It happen sudden and unpredictable, nevertheless the life that was lived was not in vain, nor did the persons toil come to an utter end, the end of the persons toil is lay before us in his legacy in the foundations that was laid upon the Rock, who is Jesus our Lord. My heart and prayer concerts that of those most effected by this sudden tragedy. 

I state the previous antidote for a purpose of a story I was told a few days removed from today. The story is of a lady that reached the Heavenly places and found herself quilted her life story among others one day in heaven. Then an Angel was passing by and ask to see what she has done and to see if it was completed to present to the Master. The lady was ashamed for her quilt was ragged and had holes in it, and not matter what she did she could not cover up those holes. She was also fearful (in heaven..) due to that the others quilts were made with gold threads, sliver, and precious colors. The Angel insisted in seeing despite her protest. He held it up, her eyes fell with shame, but what she heard was gasps of awe and wonderment. When she raised her head she saw that those holes she could not cover up or fix, the face of Christ filled the holes. Not only did He fill them, He face radiated the quilt beyond compare. The Angel replied to the lady, the Master will be well pleased with this quilt, take courage and hope for He is truly your all in all.

This story spoke to me of God's provision of His Son to help me fill the holes in my life when I can not do it myself, which is about everyday. It is a story of hope, a story to tell us that faith is required of us each day no matter how bumpy or non bumpy or road is at that moment. For in my life I lose hope, lose faith, lose perspective for I get caught up in the attempting to fixing one hole and then see another hole appear and try to fix it at the same time. I guess you can say it is like playing twister by yourself and your spinning the dial to see what color you ought to touch next. Wow! We would never do such a thing in the game for it is impossible, but the contrary is true if we step back in trying to fix the holes in our own power, but rely on His to aide to fix matters that we could never. I am not saying we ought to become lethargic in this approach we are to be active of our actions, but the Lord will help change hearts, change situations, change perspective as we surrender to His will. 

I am convince that these holes that appear in our quilts is merely the trials of life. Some are larger than others due to us involving only ourselves to fix them verses those that are smaller due to that we saw it fit to seek God's aide on the onset on the initial tear. I know for a fact I will have some large holes to come, but I hope that I will see my folly quicker and again surrender to the Master craftsman to aide to the repair of this beautiful quilt that one day will be on display for all of the Kingdom to see His face instead of mine. 

Unforgettable...

Well I have been putting this post off for to long now. It is another review of a previous year that went better than I expected, but had those reliable hip-cups in life. Where to start lets go to the blessed points, then the not so blessed well as of yet... (these are not in any particular order)

Blessed....

1. New direction in working towards of being a steward of a business - Coffee House Style.

2. Ministry to the young men and women has been a blast at CFA.

3. Church life has been awesome, seeing a healthily model strive to serve the Kingdom

4. Settled on attempting a Master's in Christian Ed./maybe a Master of Business, one thing at a time.

5. Having family attending Church with me, this stokes me every Sunday. 

6. Connecting with old friends and hearing of their journey.

7. Having a mentor to help guide in life

8. Learning what is means to prudent, wow what a lesson I am learning

9. Friendships growing every day, I am a blessed man for those friends.

10. Growing in Fatah, an area I struggle

Not so Good....

1. Not in full-time youth ministry, God directs even when it is not your plan.

2. The elusive full-time gig

3. Losing friends.

4. Death in the family

5. No where limit the bleeding of debt.

6. The elusive lady friend... God bring her quickly...

Well it is sweet to see that the blessed is out weighing the not so good. I am seeing this unfolding this year is already not going how I envisioned it. I guess that is a good thing, for my plans might not really survive the test of time. I am excited in what God is doing in me at the moment, though is a bit painful, but it's implications will be for the betterment of where He is leading. I look forward to expounding on my difficulties and blessed moments as this year unfolds. Until then enjoy that cup of Joe and live in community. 

Community

Just last night I had over some close friends of mine and we had some dinner and some good conversations. I must say that if I could do this twice to three times a week, I would do it in a heart beat. It is amazing what good food and great company can do for the souls of many. Especially when there is a kindred spirit from all parties. Helping to create an environment for such things to occur is definitely a gift that I am learning that I have. Maybe that is why I am draw to opening a Coffee House/Bistro.

Well I titled this post on community for this simple purpose we are meant to have deep relation connections which each other and there is no better way to bring that into focus with a home cook meal that allows relationships to transcend through the ambiance. I little note must be said here that a portion of the people from last night are close friends from out-of-state, they are family not just friends. I have learned from them that relationships are built in close encounters such as a lunch at a person's home or dinner. Go figure when we want to go out and eat and try to duplicate such close intimacy of family and friend's.

Community is a important aspect of all humankind, it is built into our innate DNA, so I encourage you all to try it yourself and see the results and see how those relations develop deeper. When it was recorded in Acts when the disciples broke bread and had fellowship there was a deep connection for they realized that they needed each other to continue on in faith, for apart from it they would utterly fail on their own attempts. Yes, you might be saying there are other implications of such an example of Christian fellowship, and you are right. But remember this if we are reaching out into this world and being that light what better way to live life and rub shoulders and develop deeper connections with those who we are witnessing to if not in your home over a meal or dessert labored in love to shower them with the Good News of the Gospel. Just saying we have abandoned, me included, this priceless gift of serving others to allow a connection to be made for the sake of our innate need of community.

I hope this post is not to disjointed in this idea, I am convinced more and more that community is so needed in this age of modern technology and impersonal relationships.