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
  

I can't think of anything cool to write here.

Everything Must Change is Brian McLaren's newest book, and the book I've been reading. Not to ruin it or anything, but I want share a thought:
It seems like other places in the world, specifically those that are developing, have an easier time understanding and taking hold of the Jesus who has come to save us not just for eternity but to save us in today. Someone who has HIV AIDS, has to scavenge to eat, and has no shelter is more likely to actually realize his need for a Savior.
I think maybe here in the U.S. we don't need Jesus anymore.
Let me explain. Do you remember when someone first shared Jesus with you? Maybe its because I've grown up in the Church, but I've been taught that Jesus is like insurance. Belief in Him spares me from something dark and inevitable, at the end of my life.
I don't even really know what to do with this thought. How can my life be different because Jesus is active in my life right now?

Check it out

I don't know if you can see how amazing this photo is, but it is. My sister Anna took it with the twin-lens (Argus Argoflex Seventyfive, made circa 1960) she bought at the Allegan County flee market for $5.

Song For My Family

This is a song for my family
outside the walls of sunday
morning from some within.
This is a song to confess our sins,
lay it all out, and try to begin
again. To hope again.

Please forgive our ignorance
in looking down on you
Please forgive our selfishness
for hiding in our pews while the
world bleeds
while the world needs us
To be what we should be

This is a song for my family who
just can't believe in the Jesus that
you've seen on Sunday morning.

This is a song for the
cynical saints.
The burned out and hopeless.
The ones that we've cast away.
I feel your pain.

Please forgive the wastefulness
of all that we could be
But don't forget, there's more than
this.
Her beauty still exists.
His bride is still alive.
His bride is still alive.

This is a song for my family inside
the walls of Sunday morning.
Be what you should be.

This song was written by Michael Gungor