Saturday, February 25, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
The Man of Manual
A photography comparison unedited....same location, same time.
Canon lens 18-200mm, ISO 1600, Exposure time 1/4000, f/5.6
Canon lens 18-200mm, ISO 1600, Exposure time 1/100, f/5
Fritz took this profile photo of me as the evening sky was darkening. He knew how to set my camera to reach pastel perfection even though I have a bulging sun tumor by my eye.
After Fritz set my camera, I took the second photo of him. I love how it turned out.
Canon lens 18-200mm, ISO 1600, Exposure time 1/100, f/5
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Friday, February 10, 2017
Is Jesus Enough?
I have come to realize over the last few months that there is always a root question when your world falls apart. Is Jesus enough?
Can He mend a broken heart? Can He fill the void that stretches in your mind and in your dwelling? Oh, my friend of mutual suffering, I have wrestled with the God of Jacob. He touched me where I was most vulnerable, where I thought I was strong and untouchable. And if I read Genesis 32 aright, I see that my encounter with God isn't much different than Jacob's. I insisted on being blessed and truly He did bless me, but not in the way I expected. My hidden socket under layers of flesh was wrenched. Though I don't limp physically like Jacob, I'm still hobbling emotionally. God's blessing takes a form unfamiliar - pain.
In the midst of my biggest fears I clung to the God of Jacob. I am the blessed one, because God didn't allow me to walk away unchanged. Despite the pain, his touch is the fullest blessing. In the wrestling, God uncovered the fascia of my insecurities, ripped the ligaments of pride and perforated deeper than I felt comfortable. God sees me stripped open and ugly, and still He touches me. His touch pulsates to my mind. I see with new eyes the irrevocable sign of God's blessing was a limp in Jacob. Jacob was given pain to remember his encounter with the Living God who mercifully spared his life. In a remarkable way, Jacob's limp proclaims the Good News that we are not treated as our deceptions deserve.
Every area of my life where I'm left limping, the Man of Sorrows limps as well. He bears my heartbreak on his shoulder, and it leaves splinters in his flesh. Jesus wrestled long before I did and held on long after I let go. He let his gait be changed for my sake and accepted pain as the very blessing God ordained to bring me to Glory. Therefore, I limp and remember.
Jesus is enough.
Can He mend a broken heart? Can He fill the void that stretches in your mind and in your dwelling? Oh, my friend of mutual suffering, I have wrestled with the God of Jacob. He touched me where I was most vulnerable, where I thought I was strong and untouchable. And if I read Genesis 32 aright, I see that my encounter with God isn't much different than Jacob's. I insisted on being blessed and truly He did bless me, but not in the way I expected. My hidden socket under layers of flesh was wrenched. Though I don't limp physically like Jacob, I'm still hobbling emotionally. God's blessing takes a form unfamiliar - pain.
In the midst of my biggest fears I clung to the God of Jacob. I am the blessed one, because God didn't allow me to walk away unchanged. Despite the pain, his touch is the fullest blessing. In the wrestling, God uncovered the fascia of my insecurities, ripped the ligaments of pride and perforated deeper than I felt comfortable. God sees me stripped open and ugly, and still He touches me. His touch pulsates to my mind. I see with new eyes the irrevocable sign of God's blessing was a limp in Jacob. Jacob was given pain to remember his encounter with the Living God who mercifully spared his life. In a remarkable way, Jacob's limp proclaims the Good News that we are not treated as our deceptions deserve.
Every area of my life where I'm left limping, the Man of Sorrows limps as well. He bears my heartbreak on his shoulder, and it leaves splinters in his flesh. Jesus wrestled long before I did and held on long after I let go. He let his gait be changed for my sake and accepted pain as the very blessing God ordained to bring me to Glory. Therefore, I limp and remember.
Jesus is enough.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
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