Phillipians 4:4-9

I find that being a 'Christian' for the majority of your life has its own difficulties. Some people would argue against that and say that we ought to show that we have it all together, but I think that's a buncha hooha. The reality is a Christ-follower's life involves much of the same stuff as anyone else's. I've had my heart broken, my identity stolen, my car totaled... I love, I hurt, I live, I work, I rest. 

I don't even think that going to church, or being a "good person" or even just believing there's a heaven and hell is what makes someone a 'Christian'. What distinguishes someone who walks with, talks to, and thinks upon God, from someone who doesn't, is their outlook on life in relation to what the Bible says about who Jesus is. And then... how they live in relation to what their outlook is.

But see, the difficult part is when you've been walkin' and talkin' and thinkin' for so many years that it doesn't really seem exciting or important anymore. I mean, one quasi indicator of a relationship with God is someone who reads their Bible, right? But... who likes to read the same thing, over and over and over and over and over again? Like... who goes and reads A Tale of Two Cities every day, or every other day for their whole life?

It makes sense why so many Christians (especially people who were raised in the Church from the getgo) will open their Bibles, flip through, and do this: "Noah and the Arrrr-know it, Jonah and th-know it, Jesus Walks on- read that already, Fruit of the Spirit- read it, know it, memorized it". I hate it when I catch myself beginning to read something, realize I can quote it, so then I just randomly continue flipping through trying to find something obscure, like in Numbers, that I haven't read. Then I remember why I don't read in Numbers lol...

ANYway... all that to say I'm trying to do something different when I read scripture that seems all too familiar. I try to write out my own interpretation or translation, taking into account what was going on historically (if I know that much) and what that would translate into in today's world. Today was a big chunk of scripture; and it's really, truly beautiful... aaand it's all too familiar. But it's definitely too breathtaking and encouraging to be skipped over for something else. 

Phillipians 4:4-9 NIV

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, noble, right,  pure, lovely, admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Phil. 4:4-9 Ashley Version

Thank the Lord always. Again: rejoice and praise His name! Let your peace-filled spirit be obvious to everyone, for your Lord hears and knows you intimately. Do not lose hope in anything, but in every situation surrender your concerns, praise Him for He is good, then trust that He will work His perfect will. Then Calm and Hope (that is beyond explanation) will fight off the enemy's lies, and will keep you in the protective arms of Christ. Do this by dwelling on His Word, His Justice, His perfect love, the vastness of His complex creation... think of these things only. Study the way Christ lived, and follow Him in humble adoration (not obligation or pride), then He will bring you rest.

Ben + Ashley = Brandi

Hi, my name is Brandi, and I am a 6 week old Chocolate Labrador Retriever. 

My Humans came and picked me up from my dog-mommy yesterday; but I love my new home! 

It was a rough start- I cried all the way home from Conroe, TX. But my humans are awesome, and I am loving my new life. This is what my life is like:

I love to chew on my toys, my tail, my feet, and my Human's feet. My dagger-teeth are amazingly precise!... but I chew out of love O:)

I do not like the hardwood floor in the kitchen, I refuse to walk in there, and I will give you a piece of my mind if you try to get me to follow you... silly Human.

I'm a snuggle-bug. Really, all I want to do is cozy on up to ya and sleep next to your warm body. Check out how sexy I am:

Mommy's fingers are the best! 

 I actually like my crate, and slept pretty soundly my first night home!

Whatchu lookin' at, Willis??

*sigh* But I'm le tired... 

 sleepy girl 

will you please get that flashy thing outta my face?

this toy dispenses food!!! rock on!

Ok, see you around! 

The Boogie Man

But we who would be born again indeed,

Must wake our souls unnumbered times a day

And urge ourselves to life with holy greed.

Now open our bosoms to the wind's free play,

And now, with patience forceful, hard, lie still

Submiss and ready to the making will,

Athirst and empty, for God's breath to fill.

- from The Sacred Romance

I've been reading The Sacred Romance recently... By recently, I mean that I am currently in the process of finishing this book, and it's happened to take me months. This doesn't surprise me, as I am a shockingly slow reader. But hey, I'll retain every word. 

As I was saying, I've been reading this book for some time. It's a fantastic book, especially for anyone with a thirst for a fresh view on this world, and what all we're doing here exactly. (co-authors Brent Curtis & John Eldridge [from Wild At Heart]) 

 

This poem stuck out to me poignantly the other day. I was really, strangely challenged by it. I mean, it's really grabbed my attention. I actually wrote out a copy of it on a scrap of paper and have it out on the table so I see it daily. It's as if it's daring me to a life truly full and free. Specifically, it spoke to my heart of our deepest desire to live free from Fear. 

Fear... fear is a very odd thing. Sorely misunderstood, I believe. I mean... as children, it's fairly straightforward, right? Kids are afraid of the dark, of the thunderstorms, the Boogie Man... things relatively tangible, but also easily explained away by our adult, rational experiences.  I remember watching the movie Dante's Peak when I was little, and- afterward- knew with ab.solute. certainty. that that very night our house would be swept away by smoldering, incinerating lava.  It wasn't until later that my mother consoled me that, 'in Texas there aren't even mountains, let alone volcanoes,' that I realized I was in fact quite safe from having my legs melted away... 

Laughable, I know. But the terror that lived in my heart, I remember, was so real. So tangible.

Fast Forward 15+ years, and we no longer concern ourselves with Boogie Men or nightlights. No, now our fears encompass an entirely different, less-tangible realm; loneliness, disappointment, heartbreak, abandonment, disapproval, failure. Now our fears are often emotional. And yet... that fear is much more real, in a way. Because those fears... they aren't necessarily impossible.

But here's my point:

This whole fear thing is really taking away from the act of people Living their lives, ya know? We get so wrapped up in the what-ifs, or the I-hope-nots that we miss out completely on reality (good & bad) that can only come with living life abundantly. And that is God's hope and desire for us: to live life abundantly.

Which is why this poem has been so inspirational to me. I love how it honestly explains that to Live fully doesn't mean to live easily, nor naturally. It utilizes words such as Wake, Urge, Patience, Forceful, Hard, Submiss, Athirst... none of those sound easy, haha. And yet, in dedication to having Him fill us, having Him provide a fullness to our lives, we're encouraged to work against our flesh's instincts, to go against the grain.

So how does one do that, exactly?...

Ben & my small group is going through another book right now (...maybe this is why it takes me forever to finish books, as I'm reading 2+ at the moment...) called The Gospel According to Jesus by Chris Seay, our pastor at Ecclesia Church. Another amaaazing book, that I can't encourage you enough to read. Essentially Seay points out our world's misunderstanding of the term "righteousness", and strives to explain how the more precise definition of it is God's Restorative Justice. Clearly we live in a broken and hurting world (thus the fear). And many of us who Know Him, know and trust that He is good and passionately involved in healing and restoring our brokenness. 

The other thing we know- our continue to learn- is that we are His handiwork, a reflection of His character. But because we are broken, our reflection is distorted. Now, I think a huge part of healing taking place in my life, is the gradual increase of knowledge that I have of Who He is, who I'm intended to reflect, and thus how I, instead, should view and live in this world. The more I know that God is Love, and that perfect love casts out fear, perfect love trusts and doesn't keep track of hurts or disappointments... the more apt I am to just rest. Just Be. Just... live. Free and full, and not in fear. 

That's one huge, long thought-process of mine... but I process it often so... thereyago. Hopefully the older that we get all our adult-version-Boogie-Men will become more easily explained away, through faith, rationale, and experience in a life fully lived.

Ready Or Not... Here It Is

Well, I've been desperately wanting to do one of these blog things for quite some time now. I feel like all the real trendy, intellectual, artistic people do them. I mean, I'm a musician so... I feel like this is part of my duty as a trendy, intellectual artist. So- I suppose- this is all in efforts to make me look & feel a little bit cooler. 

Oh who am I kidding- I'm already way cool :)

...ANYways, the truth is this world is changing so, so quickly. MY world is changing so, so quickly. Just a year and a half ago I was still living in Los Angeles, scrambling to make it through my last semester at USC. And now all of the sudden, BAM... I'm graduated, I'm an 'adult' (I think??), a teacher, a wife... This is an entirely New Life that I'm living...

Ben & my network of family and friends at this point is all over the country and world. There are days when I literally ache being so far from the people we love and have shared different parts of our lives with. Which brings me to the real, true reason for this blog.

As I was thinking about being apart from you guys, I realize how much all our lives are changing. We have friends moving across the country; friends and family are getting married, having babies; people are graduating, getting jobs; and friends who are struggling, and hurting. And I guess that's what this whole Life thing is about, right? So I wanted to have something to connect our life, our New Life, to y'all's.

I wanna update you on our goings on, with pictures, changes, travels, thoughts and whatever else I feel comes to mind. So... enjoy! :) Enjoy our new little world, here in Houston, TX, and all the good, bad and ugly things that come with it. Enjoy it all- because we're really beginning to as well :)

this is Ben & Me, day after Thanksgiving 2010

Our New Life as Husband & Wife, and always as Best Friends