MADE IN...

Being October, I began to construct my new journal for the coming birthday next month (which apparently is only a day away!)
I'm not usually one for extensive wordage on these covers, but I thought this one was fairly appropriate as it reflects the past few months of my present life. In truth, it is a cardboard box piece that was torn out of a Starbucks mug packaging... but I liked the phrase so much, and it fit so well to my spiritual walk that I made it a centerpiece.

The bean forever remembers its birthplace:

           the terraced hillsides, the equatorial rains, the lilac-blue shade of the jacaranda.

        The bean eternally harbors the nurturing touch of the farmer deep within.

                The bean gives back, blessing each warm cup with the mysteriously inviting flavor of its coffee-land origin.

 Like I said, giving a spiritual spin on it, the "between the lines" quote might sound something like...

The Christian forever remembers its birthplace:

           the terraced hillsides, the equatorial rains, the lilac-blue shade of the jacaranda.  (HEAVEN)

        The Christian eternally harbors the nurturing touch of the Father deep within.

                The Christian gives back, blessing each passerby with the mysteriously inviting flavor of its heaven-land origin.

.... you get the idea.

It's just another way of reminding myself that no matter where I am, be it  Africa, Europe, The USA or elsewhere, I am to be focused on the world I am in... pointing it to the HEAVENLY world that I am to be living for.

Wow.. 2012. Who would have thunk it! A new year with new adventures already under way. For me, this rising sun brings a city skyline silhouette. Classes start up soon for me in the Windy City and I am very much looking forward to it. As it turns out, this is becoming my first step into the real world as an adult man. I know I've been "an adult" according to age for a few years now, but feeling like a responsible adult is another thing.. and it's starting to set in. I'm really on my own on this one... with the Almighty at my side of course. If it weren't for His provision, I wouldn't be stepping into this new realm of life at all. Praise Him for the road ahead... even if you don't know what that path looks like, because you can be assured that it is going to turn out for YOUR BEST. Because God never works things out for anything less.

A Journey of Faith

So, I started reading this book. It is a very "me" book to be reading... though my mom is telling me not to be getting any ideas.

I will assure the rest of you that I had "ideas" much prior to having been introduced to this incredible story!!!
It's all about Faith. I mean REAL Faith. Mike Yankoski and a friend, Sam Purvis, became as Mike puts it "travelers through this underworld of need-privileged visitors." In other words, in the time of 5 months the pair visited 5 cities undercover as homeless vagabonds!!!
I encourage you all to read it. It challenges you as Mike was challenged, how much faith you really have in God... and how much you might have if you didn't "have" so much of everything else.

What would you do if you lost everything today?
Would you still trust God?