friends who go the distance

better known as the "spice girls" dating back to our freshmen biola days, the other four (unbeknownst to me) planned to come out to colorado to speak into my life and demonstrate their care for me. at the last minute 2 of the 4 couldn't make it, but jena and caz made their way to the chilly springs and three days was hardly enough to catch up and express our thoughts on life, blogging and inerrancy. we managed a skype video chat (thanks to scott) with t and nix, and holly was significantly missed. thankful hardly begins to express my gratitude at the gift of their intention, presence, listening ears and gifts of words and encouragement that weekend.

all my love, ginger

pentacost

i came across this picture tonight

from a small, but alive church in paris with feathers hung for pentacost.

unlike the notre dame filled with tourists to see the glory of a cathedral built

by one rich man to outdo the cathedral of another,

this building pales in architectural comparison.

yet the words above the arch spoke

even to this english-speaker of the reality felt among the people present that sunday-

"Dieu est amour"

God is love.

and ken's words from sunday come to mind that perhaps pentacost

and the giving of the Spirit

turly means to be completely overwhelmed and

undone by the love of God.

i long for this pentacost.

Holy Spirit come.

Something Changed

After watching The Ultimate Gift tonight, I heard a song I'd forgotten by one of my favorite artists. The words fell on me afresh and speak perfectly of this new place of freedom I've been given...the fear has been taken out of my hands. Sara Groves says it better than I can; I cannot make it, fake it or afford it, but its mine.

Something Changed

Something changed inside me
Broke wide open all spilled out
Till I had no doubt
That something changed.

Never would have believed it
Till I felt it in my own heart
In the deepest part
The healing came.

And I cannot make it
And I cannot fake it
And I can't afford it
But it's mine

Something so amazing in a heart so dark and dim
When a wall falls down and the light comes in.

And I cannot make it
And I cannot fake it
And I can't afford it
But it's mine.

Thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
Thank you Lord.

Thank you LORD.

seeing the beauty

someone i know called this "the ugly bush". admittedly, from afar it seemed an unshapely cluster of brown stick branches located in front of a rather unlovely stucco house with very little in the way of leaves or green nearby. but i pride myself in finding the beauty. spring comes late to colorado, and i long for its arrival. similar to japan where sakura (cherry blossoms) spoke to me that a change of season was near, the abundant blossoms of colorado springs serve as beacons of hope that spring is close, and that summer is on its way.