Alabaster Box

Guess what I just found out today? January is National Hot Tea Drinking month!  (shouts of glee!)

I know some of you are rolling your eyes, but I was kinda excited when I read about it. It is perfect. The weather outside is frightful, but inside a warm mug lies the delightful amber liquid we dubbed tea. Along with fluffy socks, long books, and cozy fires — tea just adds to the pleasant warmth to be found in winter months. I can just smell bergamot now…

So today, have a cup of tea for January. And if you are a tea enthusiast (or fanatic) like me, have two cups. Or three. Remember it’s a holiday, so indulge for the sake of that. Cheers!

Filed under: Tea on January 6th, 2009 | 6 Comments »

“For the love of Christ controls us…” (2 Cor. 5:14)

Do you sometimes wonder where people find their motivation? Their tasks and difficult obstacles seem never to distract them from accomplishing pivotal goals. They are moved by something deep and constant in their souls, something that quickly becomes envied by people around them. I admire these kinds of people. Especially if they are persuaded by truthful and Christ-centered things.

I always seem to be in need of motivation. My great undoing is my peace with settlement; finding comfort in things the way they are, and even a bit frightened of unfamiliar risks. Unless I am deeply resolved and securely persuaded about the decision, I might just happily settle for common existence and a life of dull predictability.

But that is not really what I want. I desire great things. Crazy things.

I yearn for a radical Christianity, intensely motivated by the love of Christ that sets my life on fire fueled with the gospel and the word of truth. I want my heart to the transformed into a beating anthem for Christ, motivated by the most radical truth ever to be spoken and believed: Christ loves us so sincerely that He was slaughtered on the cross for sinners. And He lives to give us resilient hope and unfolding purpose. That message is life-changing. So I want it to change my life.

“There must be a sense in which “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2) is the ground and sum of everything else he [Paul] says. He is pushing us to see our lives with a single focus, and for the cross of Christ to be that focus. You don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people who make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing.” –John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

I long to make a difference. And I can — if I am mastered by Jesus.

Filed under: Gospel, Reflections, Scripture on January 5th, 2009 | 6 Comments »

Can’t grab any complete thoughts, everything is empty.
My mind is twirling off the table.
Feels like I am stuck on shuffle and I can’t find pause.

A thousand words and faces pass me by,
I reach out and feel the speed–
but like a wind, my fingers feel no substance.

Eyes close. Mouth shut. Only an ear.
Sounds of rhythm thumbing closer,
like a train that will never ever stop. I see it pass–

A hand claps that feels like mine, someone grabbed me,
I am flying through time and the breeze is warm.
The world is dizzy but I feel calm– I drop into a puddle deep and wide.

I have no power now, but I clench something strong.
Is it a hand or a rope leading further?
Pull me slowly, I want to go– but fear is pulling me the opposite way.

Surely I shall break in half, or die trying
to follow this movement into the great meadow over there
out of this shadow where chains tangle my feet.

Give me wings to fly or roots to grow away from fear.
Someone has locked my eyes onto the freedom, I can’t forget it.
But my body won’t move, although my heart is running faster, faster

Turn me loose, O pain of terror–
I sense a soft hand under my head, holding me closer, closer
This is deeper than the fear, stronger than the pain– love.

Someone loves me more than I can love,
this broken heart is now whole, a beautiful completion.
My shackles broken release my speed, and I run to this Savior

Whose rhythm I heard, and grabbed my hand,
leading me away from fear’s dictations
and set my heart free from darkness and holds me dearly even now.

I love this Savior who granted my freedom,
paid the ransom, and snapped my chains like limbs.
I shall follow Him like a hungry lamb in every day, with every breath,
for He has rescued me.

I love you Jesus, my Savior.

Filed under: Gospel, Reflections, Writing on January 3rd, 2009 | 8 Comments »

Happy New Year’s Everyone!

For me, 2009 has completely overtaken me by surprise. Even now I feel like I am still living in December. Oh well, it probably won’t be long before I get used to it. Every new year I feel the overwhelming urge to make a list of resolutions and plan for radical changes in my life. And although I aim to write a few motivational intentions for this year, God has also been pressing into my hard head the beautiful miracle of new mornings and all that goes with them.

What did Anne of Green Gables used to say? “Every day is fresh with no mistakes in it.” I like what God says even better, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” (Lam. 3:22-24) Each year starts afresh, yes, but so does each morning. Every morning.

I recently came across this absolutely profound prayer written by George McDonald that I love to read any morning I remember to, and I leave it’s words to inspire you this New Year, and this new day. We can begin afresh walking confident in God’s mercy and faithfulness through all our days. God bless you this day.

With every morn my life afresh must break
The crust of self, gathered about me fresh;
That Thy wind-Spirit may rush in and shake
The darkness out of me, and rend the mesh
The spider-devils spin out of the flesh –
Eager to net the soul before it wake,
That it may slumberous lie, and listen to the snake.

Filed under: Reflections, Scripture on January 1st, 2009 | 11 Comments »

Some of you might remember earlier this year when I created Cross Eyed Blog with the purpose of encouraging our eyes to remained focused on the cross. A few months ago, I was struggling to keep up Cross Eyed and this blog, so I was going to shut it down. That is where Eric Novak comes in. I emailed him asking if he had any ideas about what to do with the site, and of course he did. He began to renovate the entire site transforming it into a blog and webzine (an online magazine) with a format to receive articles from various bloggers and writers (like you!).

And the site is now complete.

If you have an article you would like published on the site, please submit it for review. (Guidelines and categories are on the website) We are looking forward to reaching people with the good news of the gospel from voices like yours and others from around the world. Please join us in this movement.

:: Check Out: Cross Eyed Blog and Webzine ::

Filed under: Blogging on January 1st, 2009 | 12 Comments »

Tonight I opened a fortune cookie and read the following speculation while I munched on the cookie:

“You are a lover of words, someday you should write a book.”

Hum… I wonder if this one holds any merit?
It would be wonderful if it did…

Filed under: Books, My Life, Writing on December 30th, 2008 | 15 Comments »

Here I am again falling off of the edge of this month without posting my monthly book and tea post. Oh, well. This month has been one of those months in which I have picked up too many books, read halfway through them, and then sat it aside and began another. So I have decided to write about only two special books I am enjoying right now, in hopes that you too might grab them for a good read.

The first book isn’t really a “book”, but is really a Bible study.

Lord, Only You Can Change Me — by Kay Arthur
I am only on week two of the study, but so far this study is transforming my life. Going through the Sermon of the Mount is breaking apart all my spiritual “religious” baggage, bringing me back to true Christianity: which is coming to Jesus broken and humble, and finding the means to live a fulfilled, radical life following Jesus. If you are looking for something to get you in the Word and aid in your quiet times, I recommend this study to you. It would be perfect to begin this new year.

Jack’s Life: The Life Story of C.S. Lewis — by Douglas Gresham
I just started this book as well, but it has been fun to read about Lewis’ life from the eyes of his stepson. I have grown to love Lewis’ works this past year, and gaining the insight into his beginning and unique life is helpful considering his vast impact of his writings. I am liking it thus far.

Tea: Having just finished a nice, hot cup of Earl Grey, I am fully and tea-lightfully content. I just discovered Harney and Son’s Teas, and I am quickly becoming obsessed. I enjoy African Autumn, Earl Grey, and English Breakfast.

What are your favorite tea producers? Reading any good books?

Filed under: Books, Tea on December 29th, 2008 | 12 Comments »