time flew

Well it's sure been a while. Friends have come and gone, projects have been handed in, babysitting hours have been clocked, boxes are being packed, and I have been slowly fading into exhaustion. In two weeks, I fly out to Nashville; before then I have to take a final, read a few books, and write about them. I also have to pack, babysit, and figure out details like health insurance.
A few highlights from the past few weeks:

• Many many road miles and hours and laughter attacks spent with friends from home. Good times.
• A visit to The Bridge Communities, a church I fell in love with, a place where I finally was able to engage with God again. And be reminded of what it really is that stirs my heart. Amazing.
• Reading Anne Lamott's book on writing, Bird By Bird - it's reconnecting me to my desire for writing. Very inspiring.

It's good to be in places that are "you" - whether it's the people you're with, the church you go to, the books you're reading, or anything else, really. I pray for more little moments like these in the months to come.

Ouch

It's one thing to be inwardly convicted about a sinful attitude.
It's another thing for a friend to call out the sinful attitude in your life.
Ouch.
In a GOOD way.

Church

I know, in my head, that the Christian life is not meant to be lived individually. I know that community is central to following Jesus, and that it is often through community that one understands one's self better.
The beauty of community has hit me again. Not just in a head-knowledge kind of way, but in an experiential kind of way.
I am faced with my sinful heart, with my inability to embrace, with my prejudice, with the large gap between my words and my actions and thoughts.
It is foolish to think one can follow in Jesus' way alone, because if I am emotionally removed from people, then I cannot love them in an honouring way. In this sense, community is a great antidote to selfishness. And a prerequisite for following Jesus.