Stuff...

Sitting once again in Toomer's.  I love these nights.  Reflecting and relearning the graces taught to me by the LORD through my experiences, and today, by my beloved brothers.  It's good to learn to just sit down, shut up, and just listen.  My tendency to speak only fills my ears with the foolishness of my own voice.  I usually have my earphones in, but it's actually quite enjoyable just hearing what all is going on around me; sirens passing by, two different conversations at the sets of couches to either side of me, the barista working and cleaning behind the counter, the elevator music coming through the speakers (the least enjoyable part).  I know that's awfully cliche, but consider that a mid-blog status update, or "tweet" if you will.

Is it vain to mention that I'm hand-writing this first because I enjoy my handwriting?  If so, sue me.  It's much better than digital font, and takes more time and effort to create.  Plus, it makes me think before and as I write, and to actually somewhat proofread.

So, I'm blogging yet again, at the instruction of Weaver:  a reminder to write down my thoughts (shout out to my boi), hence your reading this (if you are, in fact, reading this) stream of handwritten, verbal vomiting of semi-coherent thoughts.  How bout that for imagery?  You're welcome.

I'm also thinking about a conversation Weaver and me had right before I left the dub to come up here.  A "call" to ministry and missions:  do we actually one besides His telling us to go and the example of Christ?  My thoughts:  No.  Oey.  Now, that's not to say that just anyone can pastor and shepherd a church, or that everyone has to move overseas.  But it does have obvious implications and demands upon my (our) life (lives), that I (we) so often shik and shrug off.  The command is clear, despite us.

At the risk of sounding like David Platt, I want to draw your attention to something that drew mine yesterday morning while reading in Jeremiah.  I had gotten to the portion of Jeremiah where the LORD passes out judgement on Judah and Israel, and upon all over her enemies.
                         Side note:  the music is nearing the point of being unbearable, here in Toomer's
In the 49th chapter, judgement comes to Edom, who is actually the brother (Esau) of Israel (Jacob).  The LORD says this regarding Edom:

"Flee, turn back, dwell in depths, O inhabitants of Dedan!  For I will bring the calamity of Esau upon him, the time when I punish him... but I have stripped Esau bare; I have uncovered his hiding places, and he is not able to conceal himself.  His children are destroyed, and his brothers, and his neighbors; and he is no more."

Pretty intense, huh:  It's about to hit the fan for ole Edom, but see and appreciate what the LORD says afterwards:

"Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let you widows trust in ME."

The LORD is willing to punish sinful nations through the loss of that nation's children, but He Himself maintains and sustains the lives of the wretched by being the Father to the orphans, and a Husband to the widows.

Sound like a social gospel?  It's isn't.  It's THE Gospel.  A social, good works gospel makes us into sinful Israel, Judah, and Edom.  But the Gospel of Christ, our Bridegroom, saves those of us who are just as much widows and orphans as those of Edom.

Now, I guess I'll stop there, as it's getting slightly labored, and I don't like making the Gospel merely obligatory.  I mean, it is totally necessary, but not something to be labored.  God desires obedience over sacrifice.