Sanctuary.

I don't know a lot about why things happen in this world. I do know that there is an infinite Being who does, but who also doesn't want us to sometimes. Satan, that reprobate serpent that has so much control over the people and things of this world, somehow thinks that by creeping in, and messing with the small things, he is going to make shit hit the fan. And guess what, Satan? We both know that you're good at what you do. And sometimes on this earth, things go terribly, terribly wrong. Un-curable illnesses, fear, terrorism, all things that come from you. But maybe you've forgotten that the body of Christ is a living, breathing, impenetrable sanctuary of hope and life. Your ultimate destruction at the end of this finite existence will be the most glorious and victorious day for the coming of the LORD.

So, for the Matt Chandler's and Carson Leslie's and Apostle Paul's of this world:

I don't understand why Satan has so much power here, but I know that suffering happens in the midst of the glory of the living LORD. May we never cease to praise Him in the midst of suffering and doubt.

For Which It Stands

Last night I met people at work who encouraged me and lifted me up even though we were strangers. Again. But this time, we weren't really strangers.

And Indian couple came in to eat, not really a rare occurrence since it's an Indian restaurant, and it was a slow night so we started up a conversation. After small talk about the estrogen boosting effects of fennel, the woman told me that she and her husband live in Minnesota and that he is a pastor there. The Lord did not tell him to establish a physical church, but a comfortable place where all denominations can gather as ONE body of Christ to worship. Their goal, together and with their children, is to build up a restoration of God's presence in America.

Their names are Sharon and David Dawson, and I say we're not really strangers in the main sense of the word because we're part of the same BODY. David said that when he came to America when he was 24, he placed his hand on the Bible to become a citizen, and in his heart, was pledging his allegiance to GOD, the God that this nation was established on. This is no longer a "Christian" nation of course, but a melting pot of religions and cultures. One of the greatest things about America is that everyone has the freedom to believe what they want. But David makes it clear that his allegiance is not to a red white and blue flag, but to the God of this nation.

I rarely have encounters with friends, family or strangers in which the conversation is rolling on the Jesus train and just can't stop. When I realized that last night, I felt sad. To these people, these Indian Americans, these ripped from Hindu culture come to evangelize to the "Nation Under God" people, are totally on that train every singe day. For a purpose, too, and that's to get everyone else back on that train. Walking blessings.

I think that a lot of us quiet folk that call ourselves Christians should probably think some things over. Otherwise, what's the point at all?

Conviction, anyone?

2nd post of the day?

So,

The reason for the name of my blog:

I whispered, 'I am too young,'

And then, 'I am old enough';

Wherefore I threw a penny

To find out if I might love.

'Go and love, go and love, young man,

If the lady be young and fair.'

Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,

I am looped in the loops of her hair.

O love is the crooked thing,

There is nobody wise enough

To find out all that is in it,

For he would be thinking of love

Till the stars had run away

And the shadows eaten the moon.

Ah, penny, brown penny, brown penny,

One cannot begin it too soon.

A Contrite Sinner's Prayer for Pardon.

Psalm 51

¹Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
³For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
⁴ Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
⁵Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
⁶Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
⁷Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
⁸Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
⁹ Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.
¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
¹²Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
¹³Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.
¹⁴Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
¹⁵O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.
¹⁶For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
¹⁸ By Your favor do good to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.