The Weight of Words

How heavy is a breath of air
An exhale
Strung together perhaps
Left on its own to be
Manipulated by satellite ears
Garbage in image ingrained
The tormenter smiles
Or maybe not
A lift in spirit
A rise to occasion
Reason for celebration
They bring you down
One is compressed as if
Your home is the ocean's floor
The other is free and sound footing
The breath is as heavy as you make it
Whether you give or receive
Do well with both

Rwanda Journal

I've been thinking it over and I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to start posting bits and pieces of my journal.
Why?
One: it helps me to remember a wonderful time in my life where I was out of my element and experiencing growth in my faith.
Two: it's good to relive these moments and appreciate them for more than just an excursion to a foreign country.
Three: I'm hoping that other's get a glimpse at the things I saw and get excited about God and His kingdom (a bit of a standard answer but definitely applicable)
Four: it makes me laugh.


8-10-05 (first half of the day)

....Lunch involved a mad dash to obtain the misc. that had been left for last minute or was previously forgotten. I found my last lunch meal at my favorite near work Thai spot Lemon Grass. I sat down w/ John Piper in hand and proceeded to appear as an intellectual. I enjoy acting though I thirst for genuine interaction with my environment.
As I sat there savoring pad thai medium w/chicken, I overheard a conversation between a man from India and an ill-informed American. The Indian proceeded to inform the American about how great it was in India. he had a motorcycle, a car, and two servants. I in my pompous Christian state detested everything emanating from their mouths. And then I remembered that I'm no different. I share in this sin nature and even find myself happy when I'm in it sometimes. It is not absolute fulfillment though. I've been longing for something more for a long time..to be in the walk and to live like I'm in the walk. I wonder often if I'm there.

Hidden Treasure

There's nothing better than discovering little treasures that have been within your grasp, but you didn't realize it. It's kind of like the feeling you get when you loose your keys and you find them under your shirt you dropped on your bed. It's a moment of disbelief that you could have left them right there and that you have passed them by so many times. You were so close, but they are only discovered when out of frustration you plop down on your bed only to here them tease you with a jingle (or torment you with a poke in the behind).
Such is the fate of a Damien Rice song for me. My ear ever searching for gems that produce moments of pensive reflection. I've had the CD on my computer for some time now, but haven't listened to it completely. I'll know better next time.
This song was played by accident or maybe not.
It's called Older Chests
I've copied the first verse and the chorus.


"older chests reveal themselves
like a crack in a wall
starting small and grow in time
we all seem to need the help
of someone else to mend that shelf
of too many books
read me your favorite line
papa went to other lands
and found someone who understands
the ticking and the western man's need to cry
he came back the other day you know
some things in life may change
and some things they stay the same
like time
there's always time
on my mind
so pass me by
I'll be fine
just give me time"

Isaiah 53

I read this particular passage around the time I went to Rwanda and it not only gave me chills, but it strengthened my faith as well.
Here's why. Isaiah was written somewhere between 700 and 800 BC. That's right. It was written at least 700 years before Christ was sentenced to death and was crucified.
If you know the story and know the details, then this passage will give you chills as well.

Isaiah 53

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away. and who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
yeah it was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will give him a portion among the great and he will divide the spoils with the strong because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.

Just a few pics from a good weekend of fun and friendship.

This should start off right this time.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.