Where Streams Flow and Fruit Grows

Have I ever told you about the time I hiked through a quiet, thorn filled valley, in order to reach an ideal location to watch a sunset? Well, I'll tell you now.

It was nearing sunset and I was on a walk. Now, don't think I'm some athletic punk who does this for fun. I just wanted to go on a walk. Simple. I decided to veer off the sidewalk onto what looked like a somewhat, maybe tread once before, path. As I walked I spotted the hill I wanted to watch the sun go down on. The perfect spot.

So I journeyed on, my destination in sight.

It wasn't easy. I walked forward, and sometimes backward, in order to make way. I walked the same path multiple times and wrestled branches and twigs away. But I knew where I wanted to go, so I kept on.

When I hit a ginormous canyon maybe two feet wide gap in the ground, I pulled out an Indiana-Jones-like move and threw my bag across to the other side. Realizing there was no turning back after that, I walked a few steps back for extra speed, and leaped across the huge stream.

It took a few more scratches and some dirt under the nails before I reached my desired destination, but I made it. I sat, next to an ant hill and a spider, and I watched that sun go down in serenity.

It wasn't until after, while I made my way back to the road, when I found that instead of taking the path I took, through the low valley and poky bushes, that I could have simply walked directly from the road onto the very same hill I fought to reach. (Can someone say run on sentence?)


And you know what? I do not regret the path I took.

I just got back from summer camp where I was a volunteer, only two days ago. There are a lot of great things that happened, which I will be glad to tell you about another time. But there were also some very unfortunate things that took place, and my heart has been so heavy.

God is surely doing something, even if I don't know what.

Que the sad violins, will ya?

I'm dealing with a butt load of guilt when it comes to a student's suicidal attempts, and on top of it I dread, every single day, the news I might come home to at night. God is surely doing something, though. Right?

We all deal with our own valleys, like the one I spoke about before, and the pain we face is real. Very, very real. We can sit and ask each other why this happens. Why me? Why you?

Or not.

You can ask me all you want why I think I am going through the trials I've recently been facing, and I will honestly tell you: I don't know.

I don't know why. All I know is I will worship God anyway.

Sometimes God takes us through a low valley. It may be filled with some big, stubby rocks. It may have some weird, poky plants that you had no idea even existed in the golden state of California. And it may not make a bit of sense to you why you are there. Only God knows. He knows exactly why you are there.

You may be dealing with some low valleys. Maybe it's divorce (your own or your parents). Maybe it's rejection or suicidal thoughts. Maybe you deal with bullying and it's caused eating disorders or lack of faith. Maybe you're dealing with health issues or the loss of a family member. Whatever it is- it may not make a bit of sense.

But you are going through this valley for a reason. It's not easy, but it's where water flows and there fruit grows. How can there not be pain in a caterpillar's transformation?

But this valley is not without hope. There is a hill on which the sun does shine, and the view is great. Even if there are some bugs.

Sure, I could have taken a much simpler route. But the view would not be so sweet. I probably wouldn't have even enjoyed it because of those creepy crawlies. But because of the difficulty and the fight I put in, the end result was nothing short of a sweet conclusion.

So there are two paths. One is simple. The other, not so much.

But when God calls me on the tougher one- the narrow path- I will follow Him there.

Always.

"And the lord said, 'Now get up and cross the Zered Valley.' So we crossed the valley." (Deuteronomy 2:13).

Would you like another post regarding valleys? Alright my dear friend, Click Here.

Original photo Via

Do It

The other day I was driving to the all-famous El Pollo Loco (literally my only go-to) on my lunch break. I was stopped at a red light when I heard someone honk. I wondered if I knew them so I peeked out the corner of my eye and they were waving like some maniac. I came to the conclusion that it was some creeper creepin'. So I sat there, begging the light to turn green, as this creeper continued to honk his horn.

Would you just stop already? Oh boy you can bet my face was red. And oh, the relief when the Light turned green.

Well, a few days after the incident I came to find out that the creepy-honking-waving-maniac, was not a creepy-honking-waving-maniac, but was indeed the youth worship leader at my church. I serve with this guy and his wife every week in the Jr High, and he just wanted to say hello.

My fear kept me from something that would have brightened up my day some.

I think this is something we tend to do a lot.

I've been reading through the book of Jeremiah, and because God's people worshiped false gods and listened to false prophets and did not serve the Lord their God, God aloud the Babylonians to take them out.

I was so excited when I was in Chapter 42, because the remaining remnant of Judah went to Jeremiah the prophet and asked him to pray to the Lord.

"Pray that the Lord your God will tell us 

where we should go and what we should do."

"I have heard you," replied Jeremiah the prophet.

"I will certainly pray to the Lord your God

as you have requested..."

(Jeremiah 42:3-4)

I was all excited because the people were finally seeking what God wanted them to do and not seeking their own interests. 

"Whether it is favorable or unfavorable,

we will obey the Lord our God,

to whom we are sending you, 

so that it will go well with us,

for we will obey the Lord our God."

(Jeremiah 42:6)

Well, I mean, it was mostly not for their own interests, right? 

Wrong.

It breaks my heart because the Lord went on to reveal to them what He wanted them to do, which was to remain in that land. He told them that if they obeyed, He would build them up and not tear them down.

The remnant of Judah did not obey the Lord their God, but chose instead to do what they though was best. This did not go well with them, I will tell you that much.

Their fear drove them to disobedience.

We do this over and over again. I know I do. We know that God would have us go and do something and we choose not to. Or He calls us to specific calling and we turn the opposite way because of our fears. We are not only disobeying God, but we are missing out on the full blessings that God desires to shower on us. 

I sat there, reading chapter 42 of Jeremiah, praying that I would not be like the remnant of Judah.

When the Lord tells me to go, I want to go. When He tells me to stop, I want to stop. Though it may be scary, and it may make absolutely no sense in the slightest, I want to obey. 

I do not want my fears to control me, but God Almighty. 

And so, just like my fear of the car next to me stopped me from a kind hello from a friend, our fear can often hinder us from the meaningful purpose God has placed on our lives. (Not that you should always wave back to the creeper who honks his horn at you). My prayer is that God will become our strength and bravery, and because of Him we are are drawn into a purpose-driven life that brings glory to His name. 

Maybe God is revealing to you something He wants you to do. My advice?

Do it.

Original photo via

Spring is here and I will dance

The sound of Spring rings with sweetness as I see the flowers blooming, pollen and love dancing in the air, and new and old friendships rekindling.

During this season I notice the passion in me growing, that of which I prayed so un-passionately for. The Lord is calling you and me to do good things. He's calling us to be His sons, daughters and servants. He's calling us to something that is so much bigger than you and me. And this is not something we can do alone.

I need you and you need me. We, servants of God almighty, need each other. There is something so powerful that takes place when a group of people, who are passionate about the same things you are passionate about, come together.

The Lord did not call us to do this alone. When Jesus prayed for the disciples in John 17, He said, "...Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one," (V. 11 emphasis is mine).

I think we as a church could do a much better job at being united, but the root of any effective ministry begins with deep and fervent prayer. I will begin with prayer and ask God to do a work in us, His servants, and let that love pour out into those in which we are serving. 

There is no more time for questioning whether or not we can do what God is asking us to. 

"Pardon me, my lord," Gideon replied, "but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

The Lord answered, " I will be with you..." (Judges 6: 15-16). 

Gideon goes on to defeat the Midianites. He may have wondered how he could do it, but He did it anyway knowing the Lord would be with Him.

The Lord is with you and me too as we serve Him in the ministry He has called us too. Step out and move. Do not let your fears hinder you from doing a great thing.

In my opinion, a life spent in stagnant Christianity is less than ideal. And I would consider that the understatement of the year.

So this Spring, unlock the window and open it wide. Let this warmth take root in your heart and carry it with you day by day. Take a walk and say a prayer. Go on a drive with the windows down and enjoy every minute of this beauty the Lord has given us. And I've been learning quite joyfully that you can't take time when it comes time to dance. 

Even if you're not very good at it.

Original photo via

Quite a Show | Thunder in Michigan

You've never really experienced a thunderstorm in California. Maybe you have, but not me. Not like the ones in Michigan. In California you see a flash of lightning and then you count ten one-thousand's (one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand) before the crash of thunder. Then you wait five more minutes before you see another flash of lightning. It's boring I tell you.

In Michigan there's hardly a moment in the sky that it's not lit up by lightning. It's one flash right after another in a continuous roll of thunder. For about half a second I considered counting my one-one-thousands till I realized it'd be worthless. There's no telling what roll of thunder goes with what lightning bolt.

I sat on the porch, my toes just off the edge, and stared at this big bright sky. This is why they say He will come on the clouds with power, I thought. I've probably never seen anything more powerful than a thunderstorm. I sat in awe of His glory and power, and felt the fear that only He could give. A fear of power- God's power.

The rain came down, and rose in capacity. The trees swayed right, and then right some more till I quite literally feared a tornado. But a look at my dad told me all was well. He brushed my cheek and continued inside for a good nights rest but I couldn't find it in me to leave quite yet.

My legs ached and my head grew in pain during each passing minute, but nothing could take my eyes from that glorious display of God's power and love. He was showing me what He could do, and that He alone could do it. Though He can put on quite a show, nothing is more beautiful than the work He does in me, and all of His children.

So I sat on that porch that night, watching the storm pass through. And as I grew nauseous from the flashing of the sky, and my head throbbed to it's core, I felt no greater joy as I smiled up at the sky, my toes soaking in the cold, hard, comforting drops of rain.

I Don't Do Goodbye's Well

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard," Winnie The Poo.

I don't do goodbye's well.

Everyone at church knows it too. I'll be at church with some friends, you know, "fellowshipping" at the end of service and I'll glance casually at my watch phone (let's be real). Every time, when I realize it's time to go, I consider my options:

A) The Broad Goodbye
Announce to everyone, "Okay, it's time for me to head out!" Following this declaration comes a series of goodbye hugs and endless chit-chat as to when we'll next see each other, ect. This usually takes a good 15 extra minutes. Or,

B) The Hightail Get Away
This has taken a good amount of practice. First, I always have my bag with me as if to say "I'm ready to go." Second, I usually break away from any conversation and make sure I pretend like I'm, say, looking in my bag for something, so that everyone knows (subconsciously) that I'm no longer apart of their conversation. Then I slowly back away from them, looking distractedly at either the sky, the ceiling, or a spot on the wall. And lastly, when I'm already out the door, just so I'm not being too rude (and only on occasion) I'll say so only a few can hear, "bye!" And then I'm out! I walk quickly, but not too quickly, to my car. I usually only get stopped by like, one or two people on my way out.

You see, I may be a talented escape artist, but I don't do goodbye's well. And I'm not only talking about crowds of people at church.

My good friend Coreen joined the Navy and is leaving for boot camp. I didn't really get to say goodbye, and it wasn't on purpose. She knows how much I care about her, so that's not what I'm worried about.

She's been a gift from God to me; the closest friend I've ever had. She's been there from the beginning. We were both saved around the same time and, together, we encouraged one another in our faith. We did it mostly through letters. Sometimes it was easier this way, especially through high school, as we didn't have any classes together until our senior year. which was awesome. (Not the "having no classes" but having a class together). She always put herself aside so she could be there for me.

To say the least, I will miss her. We'll still write each other, so that won't change. But I will miss her.

I don't do goodbye's well.

Friends like Coreen are found once in a blue moon, but they're out there. Look at David and Jonathan from the bible. Ask God to place someone in your life that will genuinely care about you and be a true friend.

After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as he loved himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.

(1 Samuel 18: 1-4). 

 

I really don't like goodbye's. At all.


P.S. No hard feelings to all of my church nerd friends. Ya'll know I love you. But I'm sure you also realize I hardly ever say goodbye. It's terrible I know.

When The Lord Says Go, Go

    KJ Photograghy

"And the lord said, 'Now get up and cross the Zered Valley.' So we crossed the valley." (Deuteronomy 2:13).

There's something so simple about this verse that it hit me in such a complex way.

I don't need to write a ten paragraph post on this verse, but the simplicity of these words did wonders for me.

God told them to cross the Zered Valley, so they crossed the valley.

And that's that. No questions asked and no answers given. They went simply because of faith. They could have stopped and looked at all the negativity, but they chose to remember the times The Lord was faithful.

In Psalm, David also chose to remember God's faithfulness.

"Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"

Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.

I will remember the deeds of the lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago," (Psalm 77:9-11).

May we choose to walk even when there is uncertainty in the air. Just remember that The Lord is leading us.

Prayer and The Water Tower

Praying at the flagpole was like jumping from the water tower at the river
 
I will not lie to you; I was scared. I was scared to stand in front of the school and stand up for God. I was scared of being made fun of.
 
And of that I am ashamed.
 
"Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will disown me thee times.' And he went outside and wept bitterly." Matthew 26:75
 
Like at the water tower, I was scaredd to jump, but I wanted to do it so bad. So, instead of weeping bitterly, I asked God for courage.
 
The first step was the scariest, but once I was falling it was exhilerating and fun. Once I joined that prayer circle, there was no where I'd rather be.
 
I remembered that this is not my home, and if those people chose to make fun of me and be rude, I wouldn't let it get to me. Because, like a visiter in a foreign country, I'm just passing through.
 
 
It's not your fear that matters, but what you do with that fear that makes all the difference.