Monet

Last weekend we went to Kansas City. Part of our trip involved a visit to the Nelson Adkins Museum. I love museums, especially art museums. I love the history in art and seeing how people view the world and translate that into art.

Although Monet is not my very favorite, it was still so exciting to see this:

I really just wanted to sit and stare at this a while. And, since the return of the major foot problem creates a lot of walking pain, I did just that! But not for too long, there was too much more to see.

Beloved

You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain.

I've been thinking about how I worship the Lord. And how He sees me. I am finding the Song of Songs continually a beautiful place to find the picture of how the Lord sees his Bride, the Church, and also me. I read recently an article by someone stating that the Song of Song should surely be taken literally, as the love between a husband and wife. Because, surely the Lord would never use such language to describe His Church, His People.

But I thought back to many passages of Scripture speaking of the unfaithfulness and adultery of His People, His Israel. I thought of the pain he felt when His ones were unfaithful and wandered into relationship with others. And I thought of the picture painted in Revelation of the wedding at the End of Days, and the wedding banquet we will be invited into.

And it made perfect sense. If, in His anger, he describes his people as "adulterers" then in His love he would surely call his people "beloved."

Listen to the Lord's heart for you today:

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace. How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice!

Moving On

Yesterday I packed up my office and moved most of my personal possessions out of there (with some help). All told, I have worked at my current job four and half years, excluding six months two years ago when I got the grand idea to leave the first time. I promptly returned.

This time it feels different. My current job was my first out of graduate school. The place where I learned to be a social worker and learned to do therapy. The place where I made and forged lasting professional relationships and the place that has given me the foundation of my career. It is like home to me, comfortable and known. But it seems it is time to leave home.

Because of my slight internet paranoia, I am not going to reveal the actual place I will be working, but I will say this. I am going to be working at a Christian agency, which I believe will give me a unique opportunity to minister to others in the name of Christ while I work. I am very excited. I believe that the Lord has opened this great door for me and I can't wait to walk through and see how He will use me and what it will all be about.

If you don't already know the details (and care) and are a good enough friend to have my email, then just email me and I will tell you!

In other news, I successfully planted and few flowers this year at my house and I am very proud. This was one of my favorites:

I never can remember what these flowers are called, but I had three of them and I loved them! So pretty. They are now safely tucked away in my garage in an attempt to live through the winter.

Life

Today, as I voted there were many, many important issues in my heart. They were the same issues that were present as I prayed this morning. I hope and pray that our nation will be a God-fearing, God-honoring nation. But I am so thankful that my salvation isn't tied to whoever wins the election today. Thank God that prize has already been won!

There is one issue that troubles me frequently, though I have not written about it here. That is the Pro-Life movement. Unfortunately, it is clear that being Pro-Life is more about being anti-abortion than actually being pro-life. To say that you are Pro-Life would suggest that you are for life. All life. All the time.

I continually tire of hearing people talk about the "sanctity" of life but arguing that we should not give poor children healthcare. Or people discussing how life starts at conception and with the same mouth listing reasons why food stamps and welfare programs that aid children and families are a "bad" idea, "socialist" and even "Marxist." (What about giving generously to those in need? If it makes me a socialist to follow the teachings of Jesus, then call me whatever you want). Or people who demand that abortion be illegal but can't be inconvenienced to care for foster children or orphans because of the bad influence those kids might be on their own children or the impact they would have on their own lives.

I read this blog today and I was brought to tears. Yes, abortion is a terrible thing. Yes, life is precious, given to us by the Creator. But if you are going to claim to be "pro-life," it is time to get out there and start taking care of the children that are truly in need. No more excuses about why I can't or someone else is more equipped. The battle for life starts with me. And you. Not a government program or a politician. And not with a vote. But with my own life.

p.s. yes, it is a new job more details to come.