The F Word

Fasting.
It's bothered me because the Bible says "when you fast" not "if you fast," indicating that it should be a normal thing in my life (its not :( ). As I've processed my thoughts aloud, people have asked what my purpose would be... normally I guess you choose something to focus on or pray about and that becomes your theme. Today, sitting in The Overflow I was reading Matthew and saw the part about the religious leaders accusing Jesus' disciples of never fasting. That led me back to Isaiah 58 which talks about what the true reason for fasting should be. It talks about feeding the hungry, giving shelter, clothing the naked, lifting yokes and breaking bondages. I love it because none of these reasons for fasting cause your action to resolve on yourself. It always brings light and life! Many times when I've heard about fasting the reasons tend to resolve on the person rather than give life outwardly. One might fast to see things clearer or for guidance. I don't think these things are bad, I just love how Isaiah makes the focus of fasting others and not me.

My friend is...

worth more.
He uses her and he seems so incredibly self-centered. No car and no solid job mean that he is always relying on her generosity. There are times when he sits here in my living room, clicking away at his computer while she works in the kitchen preparing a meal for him, which is all well and good, but after eating he does not lift a finger to help in the clean-up. He has borrowed her car for months now since his was towed and that leaves her needing to find a ride every day to and from work. He seems fine with that and slow to man-up and find another vehicle. He doesn't have a solid job, working instead mostly on his music that God is going to use to reach people. (What happened to "without work, faith is dead"? OK, perhaps I twisted that a bit, but you know what I mean.)

Photos

Nicole, me and Tanya at the Vietnamese place they took me Friday for dinner.

Birthday fun and surprise party... I was forced to wear the headgear.

Across the 10/40

Last fall-ish when I was still in Thailand I had the chance to meet two great people... they are Jacob and Betsy, and I am more than a little envious of the travels they have had. They sold everything to go on a 10 month journey to more than 30 countries. The pictures they took are amazing.
If you have a chance go to the site and read about where they're at and look at the photos.

http://www.acrossthe1040.com/Photography.html

New Post Found Elsewhere

The organization I work with has a blog and I posted on there just now... if you care to read please click here or find the link to the lower right titled "Us Urbanites".

randomness #1

Right now I just feel like writing... not necessarily about any specific topic, but just because I can. I'm actually feeling quite good! I have been going way crazy this week because I have seen what is next and I get antsy when this time comes. :) All these questions in my head demanding to be answered and the new experiences experienced.
Today saw the second snow this year in St. Paul. It was beautiful. My coworker Rachel commented that someone once told her that it feels like a snow globe in Bread and Chocolate because of the big windows and I agree. Before, I was not too excited about winter here in the City but now I think I will manage...

PLEASE DECIDE FOR ME!

To Go

• Biblical foundation for a secular job (or any occupation for that matter)
  
• West Coast!!
• Use what I've learned here in relationships there
• Out of B&C!

Not to Go

• Not finished with lease
• Here is home
• Crystal
• Krystal
• Jen
• Nicole
• Tanya
• Leaving UHW
• Sheri's wedding