"Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, 'Woman, why are you crying?'
'They have taken my Lord away,' she said, 'and I don't know where they have put him.' At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize it was Jesus.
'Woman,' he said, 'why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?'
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.'
Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni!' (which means Teacher)."
John 20:10-16
This is one of my favorite passages of scripture. It was so good to hear it read in church today and to think about this risen man--this man who was God--named Jesus. This Jesus whom even death could not defeat.
Mary, one of Jesus' followers and intimate friends, was formerly a prostitute of sorts who gave herself to men. Men picked up stones to throw at her for her sin, but this man named Jesus walked into her life and he looked into her eyes...past the prostitute, past the filth and shame, past the fear, past the self hatred...and he saw the heart of a woman who longed for something bigger than herself. She longed to be noticed, to be loved. She was so affected by this man that she poured, literally poured, the most expensive bottle of perfume she owned onto his feet and cleaned them with her hair and her tears in a room full of watching men who despised her for it. This perfume cost her an entire year's wages, but money did not matter in the presence of this man.
She had been with many men in her life. She was used to being treated like dirt, to being walked over, to being used. She was used to being overlooked, being unwanted. She was used to being called, "Woman" instead of by her name, "Mary."
That is why I love this passage of scripture so much. This man named Jesus was not like every other man. He noticed her. He loved her. He appreciated her. He called her by her name.
This is why Mary was so broken when he died. It's why Mary stood crying outside his tomb even while his disciples, his twelve most dedicated friends and followers, went home feeling defeated. It was more than a crime and a heartbreak that Jesus' body was supposedly stolen and moved. It was the worst dishonor he could have ever received...this man, the only man who ever loved her for who she was.
When Jesus came and stood before her, I do not think it is only because Mary was distraught that she did not recognize him through her tear-matted hair. It was because of how he spoke to her...as if he did not want to cause a scene. He did not call her by her name, so she did not readily recognize the intonation of his voice or the look in his eyes.
Knowing she did not recognize him, Jesus said the only word that needed to be spoken.
Mary.
Maybe he said it in a whisper with tears in his eyes. Maybe he said it with a little laughter in his throat. Or maybe he said it while staring into her eyes, into the depths of her soul. However he said it, she knew immediately that it was Jesus.
In that moment, it is as if every event since the day she met Jesus came crashing down upon her from memory. Everything came together. She understood perhaps for the first time that he really was the God of the universe who three days prior had willingly given himself to be murdered for all of mankind. But because He was more than a man, the grave could not hold him. Indeed, He is the Life...and life and death can never abide with one another. This is why she cried out, "Rabboni!" meaning teacher, because she was admitting that there was still so much that she did not understand up until that moment. She was crying out in awe and in gratitude for what she was realizing for the first time...that everything she had ever hoped for was wrapped up in this man, this God standing before her calling her by name.
Jesus did not die and then conquer death in order for us to prove scientifically that there is a God. He was not spat on and beaten and the raised back to life three days later so that he and his disciples could take over the government and establish a literal kingdom. The God of the universe was not cursed and crucified and then brought to life so that his followers could stick their tongues out at all who doubted and say, "Nanana booboo!" Jesus did not and STILL does not have a political agenda or power struggle with men.
On the contrary, Jesus gave himself over to our death, to our sin, to our grave for the sole reason of setting us free. From the moment mankind turned its back on God, flipped him off and chose a different way, a great chasm separated us from Him. The only way to draw us back unto him, to give us a way out of our mess, to tear the veil of the temple from head to foot was to be slaughtered by the ones made in his own image, his prized possessions. But after taking this upon himself, after dying and being separated from heaven entirely, Jesus rose again to show that nothing, NOTHING, is more powerful than him.
Why does this matter? Because Jesus pursues us and draws us unto himself. He showed us with his ressurection that with him all things really are possible. He showed us that He is the only one capable of saving us, of defeating the crap we brought upon ourselves, of taking us to higher ground. His resurrection is a promise to those who love him and abide in him that they too cannot and will not be defeated by sin...that they too have been raised to life in Him. His only agenda from the beginning, his only priority was and is to demonstrate his love for us and draw us ever nearer to his heart.
I can think of nothing more beautiful than that.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Remembering...
Today I thought about a video we watched at DFocus last summer by John Lynch about choosing between the room of good intentions and the room of trust. I tried to find that video on youtube, but I found this one instead. It's not the exact same video but he brings up the same points:
John Lynch: works vs. grace
I love his transparency and his passion. The points he brings up in this video remind me of a phenomenal book called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. If you haven't read it, you should put it at the top of your reading list.
Anyway, while I was reading through my journal that I kept last summer, I found some really sweet excerpts that made me remember some of the best moments of last summer. I thought it would be neat to share those excerpts here:
"Music is like the secret language that God uses to communicate with us. I love how he speaks to me with no words."
"Went to breakfast with Derrick. We talked about how God speaks to us in ways we don't expect sometimes, like through nature. He told me about God speaking to him at the overlook saying, "Don't Worry."
"All I want to do is lay down in green pastures beside still waters. Dear Lord, give rest to my soul."
"Went to bed last night coughing and exhausted. I hit a wall mentally, physically, and spiritually. Claire wrote me a letter that is making me think a lot. I don't know how to let God focus on just me right now."
"Getting up at 8am to run with Tiff. I'm so thankful for the ability to run and to learn discipline."
"Yesterday I got off work early and went hiking with James, Kevin, and Dustin up Clingman's Dome and a bit of the Appalachian Trail. It was so beautiful and so much fun. I love how open everyone is here to building friendships."
"Last night, Ash talked about being Ebenezers and pure reflections of Jesus. He spoke with incredible passion. He told a story about his daughter Melissa who jumped off the roof knowing he would catch her...He said we need to stop maturing and become more child-like. He told a story about running through the aisles in the grocery store with his daughter in the cart. He said he saw a man in a wheelchair who couldn't reach the ketchup. He got it for him and forgot about him. That night he and his daughter were praying and she wanted to pray for the man with no legs. In his maturity, he prayed he would be blessed and would feel no pain for the rest of his life. His daughter prayed for legs. He said in our prayers we should pray for legs...we should be crazy, radical, almost foolish in our faith. I want radical faith."
"Day off today. It's raining and I love it. I woke up to run and God had other intentions. Instead, I finished my study and played my guitar. The rain made music around me."
"Nichole's bed is empty. She left this morning for her Greyhound to go to Chicago. It's so weird with her gone. Lord, please guard my friend's heart and hold her tight to you. I love her and am thankful for te time I had with her this summer."
"Tonight Derrick, Dave, and I went to Legends in Gatlinburg and hung out. We had great conversation about the future and how we're okay with the fact that we don't have a 10-year plan or even a 5-year plan. I am at peace with this thought."
"Last night was the un-birthday party and Emily Martin wrote me the sweetest letter. It was full of how God loves me and thinks I am more beautiful than the mountains. That's such an awesome thought."
"I was feeling spontaneous after work today, so I cut myself some bangs. I like them. They make me feel sassy."
"Things I don't want to forget about this summer:
"Thank you for beautiful friends who teach me so much about myself and about You."
What beautiful memories. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
John Lynch: works vs. grace
I love his transparency and his passion. The points he brings up in this video remind me of a phenomenal book called The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. If you haven't read it, you should put it at the top of your reading list.
Anyway, while I was reading through my journal that I kept last summer, I found some really sweet excerpts that made me remember some of the best moments of last summer. I thought it would be neat to share those excerpts here:
"Music is like the secret language that God uses to communicate with us. I love how he speaks to me with no words."
"Went to breakfast with Derrick. We talked about how God speaks to us in ways we don't expect sometimes, like through nature. He told me about God speaking to him at the overlook saying, "Don't Worry."
"All I want to do is lay down in green pastures beside still waters. Dear Lord, give rest to my soul."
"Went to bed last night coughing and exhausted. I hit a wall mentally, physically, and spiritually. Claire wrote me a letter that is making me think a lot. I don't know how to let God focus on just me right now."
"Getting up at 8am to run with Tiff. I'm so thankful for the ability to run and to learn discipline."
"Yesterday I got off work early and went hiking with James, Kevin, and Dustin up Clingman's Dome and a bit of the Appalachian Trail. It was so beautiful and so much fun. I love how open everyone is here to building friendships."
"Last night, Ash talked about being Ebenezers and pure reflections of Jesus. He spoke with incredible passion. He told a story about his daughter Melissa who jumped off the roof knowing he would catch her...He said we need to stop maturing and become more child-like. He told a story about running through the aisles in the grocery store with his daughter in the cart. He said he saw a man in a wheelchair who couldn't reach the ketchup. He got it for him and forgot about him. That night he and his daughter were praying and she wanted to pray for the man with no legs. In his maturity, he prayed he would be blessed and would feel no pain for the rest of his life. His daughter prayed for legs. He said in our prayers we should pray for legs...we should be crazy, radical, almost foolish in our faith. I want radical faith."
"Day off today. It's raining and I love it. I woke up to run and God had other intentions. Instead, I finished my study and played my guitar. The rain made music around me."
"Nichole's bed is empty. She left this morning for her Greyhound to go to Chicago. It's so weird with her gone. Lord, please guard my friend's heart and hold her tight to you. I love her and am thankful for te time I had with her this summer."
"Tonight Derrick, Dave, and I went to Legends in Gatlinburg and hung out. We had great conversation about the future and how we're okay with the fact that we don't have a 10-year plan or even a 5-year plan. I am at peace with this thought."
"Last night was the un-birthday party and Emily Martin wrote me the sweetest letter. It was full of how God loves me and thinks I am more beautiful than the mountains. That's such an awesome thought."
"I was feeling spontaneous after work today, so I cut myself some bangs. I like them. They make me feel sassy."
"Things I don't want to forget about this summer:
- Dance parties in Cabin 9
- Skinny dipping at Green Briar with Britt
- Convos with Claire, Britt, and Nichole before bed
- Making dinner with Skaar
- 50 cent ice cream
- 4th of July with my parents
- Star-gazing with Lindsey
- Corey, Zeke, Dixie
- Playing guitar with Kyle
- Small group fun night-seeing Karate Kid
- Reading and discussing The Irresisitable Revolution with Dave
- Seeing Joseph's Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Lindsey/Terra and Mckenzie/Kyle
- Jacob thinking I'm a violin player
- Deleting Ben and Mandi
- Frisbee golf with Kyle, James, Josh, and Vogan
- Letters and packages in the mail
- Splash with mom, dad, chels, and gabe
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Dan in Real Life
- Blindside: Movie on the lawn
- Jumping off the sinks with Tori
- Cutting myself bangs
- Making a collage
- Singing about Tin Roof with Kyle
- Good convo with Nichole when we first got here
- Farmer's Market with Dave
- Turkey Creek with Dave, Kevin, Emily, and Tori
- Granny's 80th Birthday party
- Hiking the Chimneys/Clingman's Dome
- Cosmic Bowling
- Brown Team Scavenger hunt with Autumn, Dylan, and Britton
- Picture with Dolly
- Skit Night: Justin Bieber
- Talking with Sam after Inception in the lounge
- Riding roller coasters with Lindsey and Kacie Lynn
- Dancing in the pouring down rain with Tori, Emily, Lindsey, Jen, Heidi, and more!
- Talent Night"
"Thank you for beautiful friends who teach me so much about myself and about You."
What beautiful memories. I wouldn't trade them for the world.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Jesus Camp and Boyfriends...
In my Sociology of Religion class we are watching the film called Jesus Camp. It is highly disturbing. It's all about extreme, evangelical Christians, and if I were not a Christian, it would literally scare me to death. But because I am, it only makes me angry....and sad. It makes me angry because I can't believe people can be so ignorant. I can't believe that people are so extreme and so close-minded. It makes me sad because these children, these beautiful children, are being raised in homes and socialized into these roles. They are learning about the fury and judgment of God. They are being chastised for wanting to read Harry Potter, for dancing "from the flesh," for thinking global warming is real, for not witnessing to their friends enough. These kids are walking on egg-shells. What makes me most sad is that they may never know the unbelievable depths of God's love and mercy. Their religion is not freeing them...it's putting them in further bondage. No wonder the world hates Christians.
It makes me sad to think that people don't know what it's like to be loved by the God of the universe. They don't know about the Jesus who hung out with prostitutes and tax-collectors and fishermen. They don't know the Jesus who loves...and they're slapping his name on their own messed up beliefs and politics.
Yesterday I went to church and sat in the back row, not expecting to really worship. I actually just went to pay my tithe if I'm being honest. But unexpectedly, I was moved to tears during this song:
Revelation Song
The words of that song are incredible.
The message was about the word "disciple." It was brilliant. It spoke to me right where I am, especially one part of his message that said something like, "Discipleship is not just a program, it's a life-long commitment." This spoke to me because I've been thinking how much I want to go back to DFocus...how much I want to be in a community of people who love God and who are searching and who are open to one another. And it's like God was trying to say to me in that message that my whole life should be about discipleship. I should crave and be in community with people who love God all the time. Now I get it. In a way, it's what Dennis and Shanna at DFocus were trying to get across to us all along...life goes on. But so should discipleship.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a way different note...
Lately I've been longing for a boyfriend...I mean more than I usually do. It's really weird. I've gone for over a year now being single and not even going on a date with someone, and I really miss it. I honestly miss it. I mean, I know I can't snap my fingers and make the man of my dreams stand before me, but if I did...he would be the coolest guy ever. He would have red hair, an awesome laugh, and a craving for adventure. Oh yeah.
All sorts of things go through your head when you've been single for a while, like "Am I just not pretty enough?" "Am I cold or unapproachable?" "Am I not fun enough?" "Do I smell?" Maybe so. OR just maybe I'm finally right where I need to be, with my life in order and my priorities in the right place. Maybe it's because I'm not settling for anything less than love. And maybe that means I'm gonna have to wait a while.
The best part is, when I do finally meet him, he's probably going to be different from anything I've ever expected...and those people are always the best kinds of people.
It makes me sad to think that people don't know what it's like to be loved by the God of the universe. They don't know about the Jesus who hung out with prostitutes and tax-collectors and fishermen. They don't know the Jesus who loves...and they're slapping his name on their own messed up beliefs and politics.
Yesterday I went to church and sat in the back row, not expecting to really worship. I actually just went to pay my tithe if I'm being honest. But unexpectedly, I was moved to tears during this song:
Revelation Song
The words of that song are incredible.
The message was about the word "disciple." It was brilliant. It spoke to me right where I am, especially one part of his message that said something like, "Discipleship is not just a program, it's a life-long commitment." This spoke to me because I've been thinking how much I want to go back to DFocus...how much I want to be in a community of people who love God and who are searching and who are open to one another. And it's like God was trying to say to me in that message that my whole life should be about discipleship. I should crave and be in community with people who love God all the time. Now I get it. In a way, it's what Dennis and Shanna at DFocus were trying to get across to us all along...life goes on. But so should discipleship.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On a way different note...
Lately I've been longing for a boyfriend...I mean more than I usually do. It's really weird. I've gone for over a year now being single and not even going on a date with someone, and I really miss it. I honestly miss it. I mean, I know I can't snap my fingers and make the man of my dreams stand before me, but if I did...he would be the coolest guy ever. He would have red hair, an awesome laugh, and a craving for adventure. Oh yeah.
All sorts of things go through your head when you've been single for a while, like "Am I just not pretty enough?" "Am I cold or unapproachable?" "Am I not fun enough?" "Do I smell?" Maybe so. OR just maybe I'm finally right where I need to be, with my life in order and my priorities in the right place. Maybe it's because I'm not settling for anything less than love. And maybe that means I'm gonna have to wait a while.
The best part is, when I do finally meet him, he's probably going to be different from anything I've ever expected...and those people are always the best kinds of people.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
When I was a kid, Are You Afraid of the Dark was one of my favorite shows. I remember hearing the intro from another room and running to see what episode it was, and if it was going to be a new one. All of them were pretty creepy, but the scariest one by far was about this little silver man who was a virus and was going to invade this kid's mind. I had nightmares about that little dude. Anyway, today I found the episode of it, and it took me way back. I can't believe how much I remember from it. I also can't believe that it still creeps me out just a bit. I linked the episode here (it's in three parts):
Are You Afraid of the Dark? : The Tale of the Renegade Virus 1
Are You Afraid of the Dark? : The Tale of the Renegade Virus 2
Are You Afraid of the Dark? : The Tale of the Renegade Virus 3
Creepy, huh? I had totally forgotten about "the midnight society" and throwing the sand into the fire. They just don't make 'em like they used to.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? : The Tale of the Renegade Virus 1
Are You Afraid of the Dark? : The Tale of the Renegade Virus 2
Are You Afraid of the Dark? : The Tale of the Renegade Virus 3
Creepy, huh? I had totally forgotten about "the midnight society" and throwing the sand into the fire. They just don't make 'em like they used to.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Our Suitcase of Questions
Today I got to hang out with my beautiful campaigner girls. It was glorious. After a little craft session, we went to Skinny Minniz and ordered 3 volcanoes to eat. And then, of course, we played at the park. I love hanging out with them.
After thrifting last week, we found an old suitcase. We had the idea of mod podging pages from an old Bible we found onto the suitcase and then adding pictures of ourselves and pictures from things we do in Campaigners. Today we decorated it, and after spilling glue everywhere and laughing hysterically, we started to see the masterpiece we were creating come together. All hands on deck, covered in glue. Such a great memory.
My girls told me they want this to be their Campaigner suitcase that goes with us everywhere we go and meet. I told them I want them to fill it up with their questions, their thoughts, their memories, their prayers. I want it to be safe place for them to throw in whatever they want...and for us to go through together, to talk about, to fill up with whatever is on our hearts. It's so cool that these girls have let me hang out with them and get to know them....and it's even cooler to think about what God is going to do through Campaigners.
This week at club, I got to talk about our need for Jesus. I got to look out at the crowd of Lenoir City High School teenagers and see their faces. I got to look them in the eye, and I got tell them about Jesus. Me. A scared, nervous, introverted girl got to be the mouthpiece of the Lord. I never ever ever ever ever thought I would be doing something like that...especially to teenagers.
Earlier this week, one of my girls who I've known since I became a leader talked to me on a bench at the park. We talked about all kinds of stuff. Hurtful stuff. Memories. Laughter. Parents. Sex. Friendships. It was amazing. I thought about how a year ago if you would have asked me if I had a close relationship like that with one of my girls, I wouldn't have been able to say yes. I also thought about how that's okay...and how if it took a year for one girl to open up to me and trust me like that, it's been worth it. What a privilege and an honor we have as young life leaders to chase after kids and point them to Jesus. I take it for granted.
After thrifting last week, we found an old suitcase. We had the idea of mod podging pages from an old Bible we found onto the suitcase and then adding pictures of ourselves and pictures from things we do in Campaigners. Today we decorated it, and after spilling glue everywhere and laughing hysterically, we started to see the masterpiece we were creating come together. All hands on deck, covered in glue. Such a great memory.
My girls told me they want this to be their Campaigner suitcase that goes with us everywhere we go and meet. I told them I want them to fill it up with their questions, their thoughts, their memories, their prayers. I want it to be safe place for them to throw in whatever they want...and for us to go through together, to talk about, to fill up with whatever is on our hearts. It's so cool that these girls have let me hang out with them and get to know them....and it's even cooler to think about what God is going to do through Campaigners.
This week at club, I got to talk about our need for Jesus. I got to look out at the crowd of Lenoir City High School teenagers and see their faces. I got to look them in the eye, and I got tell them about Jesus. Me. A scared, nervous, introverted girl got to be the mouthpiece of the Lord. I never ever ever ever ever thought I would be doing something like that...especially to teenagers.
Earlier this week, one of my girls who I've known since I became a leader talked to me on a bench at the park. We talked about all kinds of stuff. Hurtful stuff. Memories. Laughter. Parents. Sex. Friendships. It was amazing. I thought about how a year ago if you would have asked me if I had a close relationship like that with one of my girls, I wouldn't have been able to say yes. I also thought about how that's okay...and how if it took a year for one girl to open up to me and trust me like that, it's been worth it. What a privilege and an honor we have as young life leaders to chase after kids and point them to Jesus. I take it for granted.
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