Some things in life are shallow.
Some deep.
Some things in life are good.
Some evil.
I suppose I spend a lot of my days trying to sort things out into these categories. Every once in a while I come across something that is deep and good. Both. And it's lovely.

Today I found something that was both.

Patty Griffin has a new song. If you'd like to listen, click here. The song entitled "Move Up" is well just good and deep.

And then there are some things that are harder to sort out. I'm reading a book about the life of John Newton. He was the man who was a reformed slave trader. The same man who wrote the popular hymn, "Amazing Grace." It is a song that speaks a spiritual language touching most every soul. But right now I'm in the middle of the book and I just can't put Mr. Newton into one of my categories. How can good come from someone who was once so evil? How?

How?
Paul answers my question with a beautiful word...

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:7-8

Redemption allows goodness and mercy to cover even the most horrific sinner.
Redemption is real friends.
Redemption allows love to come after heartache.
Redemption allows life to come after death.

P.S. To keep up with my friends who read, I ordered my wedding dress today! Don't worry, this is not a picture of the dress I chose.

Today at the Austin Stone where I've been able to fellowship with the body of Christ here in Austin, we saw this video. I've thought about this stuff before. Why do I feel the need to buy so much stuff? Don't know.

If you need a Christmas shopping idea, the items you order on the Trade as One website by Wednesday night are guaranteed to be shipped free and will arrive before Christmas.

www.tradeasone.com

Merry Christmas. Can you believe God is so accessible? Can you believe that the very God that created the universe, sent His Son to live among us? Beautiful!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Hi friends! I'm so excited to take a moment to share some life this morning! I've missed posting while I've been here in Austin working on my first Physical Therapy rotation. So much has happened! Namely, I am now engaged to a wonderful man named Kenneth Kennedy! The picture above was taken right after we got engaged on the steps of the Capital. I'll save the engagement story for another post. Now, I'm so excited to share yet another lesson from Mr. Oswald Chambers.

Does individuality honor God? I've been thinking about this more lately since the engagement. What about my dreams, my plans, my friendships, my family. Me...me...me. I sound like I'm warming up for a production of The Sound of Music. Did God design us to be concerned with our own ambitions in the context of a healthy marriage. Or does He challenge us repeatedly in scripture to cast all our cares on Him and He will direct our paths?

Mr. Chambers shares, "Individuality counterfeits spirituality, just as lust counterfeits love. God designed human nature for Himself, but individuality corrupts that human nature for its own purposes." But what does this actually mean? How do I lay my 'individuality' in exchange for more authentic spiritual growth that honors my Creator?

The characteristics of individuality are independence and self-will. We hinder our spiritual growth more than any other way by continually asserting our individuality. If you say, "I can’t believe," it is because your individuality is blocking the way; individuality can never believe. But our spirit cannot help believing. Watch yourself closely when the Spirit of God is at work in you. He pushes you to the limits of your individuality where a choice must be made. The choice is either to say, "I will not surrender," or to surrender, breaking the hard shell of individuality, which allows the spiritual life to emerge.

Today I leave you with no concrete answers. I honestly don't know what this means for everyday life. I suppose it is a matter of considering others before I consider my own needs and desires. Something to ponder. Miss you friends. Drop me a line when you get a chance.