quoted to perfection

Christ summons the disillusioned to the paradoxical bliss

of spilling life lavishly, sacrificially for the glory of God & the good of man.

Those with presence of mind & semblance of health are called to pour out

the drink offering of their lives until the cup is overturned

and every drop of energy slips - perhaps unnoticed, uncelebrated -

into the vast ocean of earthly need.

- Beth Moore

beautifully creative expression

God has been gently romancing me into the art of creative expression. It was a whim, really, picking up Creative Prayer from the now nonexistent Christan bookstore down the street. It was cultural defiance (and my hippie tendencies), really, that enticed me to experience and inadvertently fall in love with Across the Universe. But nonetheless, these two among many other of my recent choices have been made, and God has used them to drastically shape my heart.

I wonder frequently where all this is leading - this secret lust for a hippie-inspired, empty-pocket lifestyle where the outpouring of Divine love and real-world creativity intermingle. Maybe someday when I'm 85 with a hip replacement and FEED bag full of memories, I'll write it all down and hug the book to my chest, never regretting a moment I spent chasing a purpose, a life that most in the world would say isn't possible.

But right now...that possible recollection is a fleeting hope barely seen in the distance. A heart compelled with the absence of direction is nothing more than lifeless words on a page. Lord, will I ever figure out how to compile all my experiences, beliefs and passions into an undeniable, Jesus-saturated identity?

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at the floor and I see it need sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know why nobody told you
how to unfold you love
I don't know how someone controlled you
they bought and sold you

I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know how you were diverted
you were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
no one alerted you

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at you all
Still my guitar gently weeps

Why am I ever only a silent observer...

oooo, you're makin' me feel

so lately i've been thinking a lot about this song, nikki rutz, irresistible revolution, captivating, braddigan and my strengths finder results simlutaneously. God's really made an interesting stew out of all of the main issues these people raise in my heart. i'm not really sure where this simmering will take me, but i'm very intrigued to find out.

right now i've been desirous to change my buying (or, as i would like to call it, investing) habits. if i need a t-shirt, shoes, new bag, new shower gel why not buy a version of it with bigger purpose attached than just my needs? i have yet to do extensive research on this - and i need to figure out how i can buy professional clothing and accessories for a big-people job this way - but it's a process. the more i think about it, the more i'm sure this is my first step to figure out what kind of a person God wants me to be for this word, personally.

there are so many people around the world well beyond less fortunate than myself that, through the ingenious care and sensitivity from some entrepreneurs, are able to benefit from my "investments" if only i would take the time and extra few dollars to, in some cases, sustain their very life. if you can't tell, people-oriented charity (poverty, world hunger, social justice) is my kindling passion.

now, to each their own. you gotta pick and chose your battles. not everyone can fight for social justice, world hunger, green peace, animal rights, etc. all at once. unless that's your life or something. and by no means have i figured out how to make such issues my life (and sorry to offend anyone, but i'm not sure i'll ever jump on the "in the arms of the angels" pets bandwagon. people need attention first, in my opinion - although animal abuse is a very sad reality).

but yeah. i dunno if too many people feel me on this, but i'm pretty sure it's been rising on peoples' agendas recently. i would love any input on info you've found, but let me just tell you right now: i'm not a fan of charitable buys that donate like...a "whole two dollars" to support a cause. ridiculous. i'm in it for the big bucks.

i relly wish i was better at this, but if anyone else does feel me, here are the few sources i've compiled thus far:

• FEED bag - feed a child at school for a year. annnd, i'm pretty sure you could use it can double as an environmentally-friendly grocery bag as well, eh?
  
• TOMS shoes - you buy a pair, he donates a pair to a child (currently either South American or African)
  
• Jedidiah - not only do they create and sell shirts for large social justice, world hunger and poverty organizations, they donate $10 of those sales as well as 10% of all regular sales to a number of causes