fear

For you did not recieve a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you recieved the Spirit of Sonship. And by Him we cry 'Father'

-Romans 8:15


Even though I walk through the valley of the shodow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

-Psalm 23:4


For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish

-Psalm 1:6


The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisom and discipline.

-Proverbs 1:7

Let fear never have its way with my heart. May His promises be the hope I embrace and the reality I see in life. May circumstances never have reign over His peace.

college ruins christmas

I'm not sure how it happens...it could be the oppressive wave of homework, the busyness of classes, the distraction of so many friends on one campus. But whatever it is, spending most of my December at college makes Christmas seem months away, when in reality it's just around the corner.

But there's also a part of me that appreciates this process. When I finally throw my belongings into my car and make the drive back to Phoenix, it's almost like those six hours on the road transform fall into winter. I know, it's ironic because I'm in the desert. But every year without exception, when I get home for Christmas and walk through my front door...it's like everything changes. Our house decorations glow brightly all around me, and suddenly it feels like the holidays.

I need to find a way to bring Christmas to California.

doubting thomas

One of my favorite bands, Nickel Creek, has a song called 'Doubting Thomas' It's been one of my favorite songs for a while now. The song gives an honest portrayal of the struggle that happens in the heart of every human. We want to know that God is real...to see Him and touch Him. There are times in life when we've all been there, when we wonder if there really is someone up there watching over us.

As much as this song describes my past, I'm also thankful that God has revealed Himself to my doubts. Despite my hesitation He has been faithful. I'm thankful that He's willing to engage the human mind, remain with us when we question, and offer a love that exceeds anything our minds can conceive.

"Doubting Thomas"

What will be left when I've drawn my last breath
Besides the folks I've met and the folks who've known me
Will I discover a soul-saving love
Or just the dirt above and below me

I'm a doubting Thomas
I took a promise
But I do not feel safe
Oh me of little faith

Sometimes I pray for a slap in the face
Then I beg to be spared cause I'm a coward
If there's a master of death
I bet he's holding his breath
As I show the blind and tell the deaf about his power

I'm a doubting Thomas
I can't keep my promises
Cause I don't know what's safe
Oh me of little faith

Can I be used to help others find truth
When I'm scared I'll find proof that it's a lie
Can I be led down a trail dropping bread crumbs
That prove I'm not ready to die

Please give me time to decipher the signs
Please forgive me for time that I've wasted

jamba juice wisdom

I saw a poster in Jamba Juice a few days ago. It said:

Life experiences are like quarters.
You lose both while sitting on the couch.

Somehow the couch has become the universal symbol of laziness, and perhaps rightfully so. So here's to letting dust settle on our couches, rather than humanity settling for a complacent existence. Here's to living and striving and making a difference.

A state of hope

When all I want, all I want
Is a state of hope.
All I want is a state of hope.

-Loney, Dear

The human heart is desperate for meaning. We want so badly to know that this earth rotates on its axis for a reason. That the emptiness within our hearts isn't the end, but that there's something out there that can save us from ourselves. Our search has led us in countless directions, many of which leave us more empty than when we started. Through it all, we are tired, confused, and we want a state of hope.

May all come to know you Jesus, and the hope you define. The hope that you instill in those who call upon You.