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.
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