was listening to a clip from Beth Moore who implored us to, anytime we were overwhelmed with love for God, to say “i love you too” because we never get those feelings without first being covered with love FROM God. Loving God is something we cannot do on our own. It’s divine. And we love because God first loved us. Heard that scripture from John so many times, but the act of saying “i love you too” takes my breath away.
High above the valley of Quito
An old man and his bride grow roses
Red and yellow, white and golden,
To him they are precious as children
Their daughter, she moved to America
One more break in the Tower of Babel
She has a son that they’ve never seen at all
They’re praying that they raised her well
On the mountain high
They will live and die
As time just slips away
And the children grow
In the God they know
As time just slips away
A man, his bride, his children, and his roses
Planted in faith
And watered in tears
Honey, that’s all they have
And they’re happier here
Than any of my friends back home
They met Jesus and they really know Him
Now I’m back at home
All alone
And I’m trying to find my thoughts
Of that old man so inspiring
And the TV’s always on
And the phone, it won’t stop ringing
These bills, they keep on screaming
I’m paying for the things
We never really need
Wonder what he’s doing right now?
Maybe walking through his simple field
Thinking about how
God has blessed him so
A man, his bride, his children, and his roses
Reading the “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster and am on the “Simplicity” chapter. If I give to the poor and put that before seeking first the kingdom of God or if I choose a job before seeking first the kingdom of God, I am not living in Simplicity - it comes down to the heart. And how do I know I am living “simply”? I’m not anxious - my possessions, reputation and job are a gift, they are in God’s control and He cares, and I am free to give them away.
This is going to take some time before this is how my heart is aligned. How quickly I see what someone else has and want it, and especially during Christmas, it’s hard. But I think the biggest reminder is that everything is a gift and it isn’t my work that gets it - I don’t want to believe that I am the maker - I’d rather believe in a Creator.
Shots from our engagement shoot with Betsey Darley (one of my best friends) in Greenville, SC. check out her stuff at betseydarley.com.
Lord, I don’t know what is right and what is wrong. Help your Church to be faithful and in love with Christ. Give us hearts to follow you and love each other. #pcusa
About to go to my last service at Park as a citizen of Chicago in this single season of my life. I say all those qualifiers in the event God brings me and Shane back to this city, in another time.
I remember more than 5 years ago going to a 5:30 p.m. service at Francis Parker’s auditorium, and for months I came and I went - without talking to a soul. I prayed for a church home. And once I finally stayed after one service and talked to people, God gave it to me tenfold. More than a church home, God showed me more of Himself, the Bible as a story not of self-help tips but as THE story of redemption and hope…for all nations. I have gone to Turkey and South Africa with this church. I have led a small group and been a part of one. I have grown through studies from Brooklyn Tabernacle to Beth Moore to John Stott to a relationship study Jess and I put together. I have seen a small Saturday prayer gathering turn into a big one. I have prayed with my small group girls on the busy intersection of state and randolph. Many laughs and prayers over brunches and Potbelly’s lunches with dear women in my life. God brought me up to Albany Park and showed me deep friendship with two women who were starting over in the U.S. from the Middle East. I have seen the faithful move of a couple people turn into something more in this neighborhood. And then I met a man in Tennessee.
I am hopeful for what this next part of life brings. I can’t wait to start it with my almost husband. As I look back on what brought me to this point, I beyond grateful for last five years. God is doing great things through Park, and I will forever love this church.
Ashley Barwig & Shane Smith: Save The Date (by Shane Smith)
My fiance is talented beyond belief. I am a lucky, lucky girl.
