Reality... do I even care any more?

That's what I am trying to figure out.
The world tells me to think logically... Money and success are first.
But what if precious Jesus is calling me to abandon reality and to embrace His dreams and plans for me?
And what if he calls me to do something crazy, and I, like the rich young ruler, count the cost to be too great, and I refuse to surrender? (Matthew 19ish).
What if I refuse to obey, and ONE person doesn't get the Gospel of Jesus Christ shared with him because of my disobedience?
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and then lose his soul?

"The Hole in Our Gospel" thoughts...quotes...etc.

Referring to his (Richard Stearn's) trip to Rakai (in Africa): I much preferred living in my bubble, the one that, until that moment, had safely contained my life, family, and career. It kept difficult things like this out, insulating me from anything too raw or upsetting. When such things intruded, as they rarely did, a channel could be changed, a newspaper page could be turned, or a check written to keep the poor at a safe distance. But not in Rakai. There, "such things" had faces and names-- even my name, Richard.

Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision, once prayed, "Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God." But who REALLY wants his heart broken? Is this something to ask of God? Don't we pray that God will not break out hearts? But as I look at the life of Jesus, I see that He was, as Isaiah described Him, "a man of sorrows...acquainted with grief" (53:3). Jesus' heart was continually moved to compassion as He encountered the lame, the sick, the widow, and the orphan. I try to picture God's broken heart as He looks today upon the broken world for which He died...

How could the great tragedy of orphans get drowned out by choruses of praise music in hundreds of thousands of churches across our country?

"I don't like you because I see something I hate about me in you..."

Isn't that such truth?

Lane Kiffin & Haiti.

First off, let's discuss Kiff-Kiff. I really couldn't stand him in the beginning. I have developed a love for the Gators the last few years. I love Meyer, Spikes (despite the eye- gouging incident), Tebow, the Pouncey Twins, Cooper, Percy Harvin (Vikings, now...obviously), etc, etc, the list continues forever. After Kiffin made his multiple unneeded comments about Meyer, I began to develop a distaste for Lane-y boy. As time continued and I began looking at colleges, I started realizing that UTK was a serious option that is not going to leave me with thousands of dollars of debt. Successss. So, I began to appreciate Kiffin and his loud mouth... Now, as I just started loving the man, he leaves. Despite his somewhat classless move and implied insult to UT through his quick move to USC, my heart remains in tact, and I haven't felt the need to go burn any mattresses or tshirts with Kiffin's face on them.

Furthermore, my heart is broken by the recent chaos, hurt, and brokenness in Haiti. In the midst of the Kiffin dilemma, thousands upon thousands of people in Haiti lost their houses, lives, family, and darkness seemed to quickly wrap its arms around these lives. This whole catastrophe has literally broken me... I don't know how to put thoughts into words on this subject... My heart questions Abba about it, but I also thank Him for the plan He has already put into place to use this for His glory and renown. Pray for the brokenness...pray for people to look to Yahweh for comfort and salvation... Don't just have compassion... but act on it. Be HIS hands and feet to this hurting and dying world. Forget Lane Kiffin, the NFL, and coach purses and remember the Savior, the dying (spiritually and physically), and the hurting. Remember the big brown eyes of the people of Haiti. Love your brothers and sisters. Hold the least of these. Press your palms to the wounds of the broken.

ABBA, Cowboys, NFL,Twilight... oh the joy.

ABBA, my strong Papa, is reminding me that He is in control. He keeps wrapping His arms of Truth around me and telling me that He has great plans for my life--those plans include today. He keeps helping me push forward. He has also been working on my heart. It's funny because people always sing and preach "Come just as you are" all the time, but Abba makes it plain that though He receives us just as we are, He loves us enough to change us because He wants us to be just like His Son!... I have been completely overwhelmed lately while thinking about just how deep His love for us is. I am constantly in the presence of the Lover of my soul...and these past few weeks, my heart starts beating faster when I am talking to Him. I keep seeing glimpses of His sparkling eyes of grace and unfailing love, and my heart swells. I know that He is even crazier about me than I am about Him! and that BLOWS my mind! Oh, precious Jesus, hold me close.

On a slightly different note, the Cowboys. Tony Romo. As he dates star after star, I see his cery character going deeper and deeper down the toilet. oops. Sorry Romo, I'm not one of your fans. Good thing you can throw a football, boy...

the NFL. Boooo. I am not too fond of the wonderful National Football League. Coaches and football players getting paid millions of dollars to work out & throw a football around to entertain the world. I just don't understand the concept. To those who donate large sums of money to charities, may God bless your ministry. And may you flee from the idea of dating a celebrity. It WILL be your downfall. Refer to previous paragraph.

As much as I hate the NFL, I realize that all of my favorite players will be delving into the world of over overpaid athletes. McCoy, Bradford, Tebow, & Cooper...Keep your heads on straight, boys. I almost wish you could all go to the same team... Why? So you all could just run up and down the field holding hands...can we say best friends forever...? OH, and I really just want to have to cheer on one team. : )

Twilight. I believe that there is going to be a special place in the lake of fire for these books. Dear Middle School Girls, please realize that the Twilight books are not real life. As a result, Team Edward and Jacob should not exist. Please feel free to break away from these books and live real life. : ) oops.