Abraham Faith

He said, "Take your dear son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I'll point out to you." (Genesis 22:2, Message)

I'm not a mom yet, but I can only imagine and empathize with Abraham as to how he must have felt. What are you talking about, God? Sacrifice my own son on the altar? Surely I misunderstood. But he did not misunderstand. And so he took his son up the mountain and prepared the altar for sacrifice, just as he did every time. But God, he is my ONLY son. Isn't there another way? What must his thoughts have been as he cut the wood? Did he slow down, placing them one by one just to have a few more moments with his beloved? Or did he do it at the usual pace, painfully placing each stick up there, tears rolling down his cheek?

They arrived at the place to which God had directed him. Abraham built an altar. He laid out the wood. Then he tied up Isaac and laid him on the wood. Abraham reached out and took the knife to kill his son. (Genesis 22:9-10, Message)

Agony. Was his son struggling? Did he think his father was going mad? Something just wasn't adding up. He had assured Isaac just moments ago that God would provide the ram for the sacrifice. And now there lay Isaac, tied up and watching a knife come closer and closer...and then...

"Don't lay a hand on that boy! Don't touch him! Now I know how fearlessly you fear God; you didn't hesitate to place your son, your dear son, on the altar for me." (Genesis 22:12, Message)

God did provide the ram. He wanted to see that Abraham had faith in Him, that he trusted his Heavenly Father. And Abraham did, although it caused him so much earthly pain to do so.

In modern church terms, we see that this is a parallel to the gospel story. Just as God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, but then spared his life with a lamb, God later provided the ultimate sacrifice---His only son---as the "lamb that takes away the sins of the world."

Today, my dear friend Tyler lost his only little girl. Taylor Kate was a brave little baby. When I met her for the first and only time in April, she was alert, aware. Sadly, a debilitating muscle disease caused her to aspirate many times a week, losing the ability to breathe on her own. This morning, Taylor received ultimate healing and went home to be with her Heavenly Father, Jesus. He wrapped His big arms around her in a hug and watched her run and giggle and play...things she could never do here on earth. Her mommy and daddy are hurting, but we will be Jesus' hug for them right now.

Scott was talking to Tyler earlier this week about this passage on Abraham. He was saying that sometimes, situations are so out of our control that the only option is just to say, "God, you can have this. I'm going to let it go and let you take over." At times this causes our human hearts great pain, just as it did today for Tyler and his family. Please keep them in your prayers in coming days. We leave on Monday for the funeral, which will take place on Tuesday around noon in Florida.

The angel of God spoke from Heaven a second time to Abraham: "I swear—God's sure word!—because you have gone through with this, and have not refused to give me your son, your dear, dear son, I'll bless you—oh, how I'll bless you! (Genesis 22:15, Message)

I am confident that God has a better blessing in store for Tyler. I hurt so deeply for his loss, yet because of our faith, we have hope. Hope for healing, hope for a future. God promised Abraham that he would be a blessed man because of his willingness to sacrifice his child and obey God.

Oh to have that kind of faith!

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (Jeremiah 29:11, Message)

Dad's in the AJC!

Check out my awesome Dad, who was interviewed about why he loves his job for the AJC this past Sunday. There are even a few pictures. I'm so proud of my Dad!

http://jobnews.ajcjobs.com/news/content/careercenter/articles/2007_0722_lovemagic.html

Broken Dreams Restored

Andy has been doing a series at church called Boulevard of Broken Dreams. He has been talking about what happens when you realized that certain dreams may never come true due to circumstances you are in and choices you have made. We learned how King David, even in his wisdom, had dreams broken.

This afternoon I was listening to a Rascal Flatts song called Bless the Broken Road and found the chorus particularly moving. It reminded me of this morning's talk at church. You may find the lyrics familiar:

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

These lyrics are so true to the way God works and how He perceives things in our lives. Our little lives are dotted with moments so horribly hurtful that we cannot see how things could ever improve. But I am realizing it is at those moments that God is working on our behalf, and preparing something even better than we ever could have imagined. I know He's done that in my life. God's so cool like that.

Everlasting

A thousand times I've failed,
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
I'm caught in Your grace
Everlasting,
Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame.
(Hillsongs Australia)

Tonight was so amazing. We had "Night of Worship and Communion" at Buckhead Church and it was, as always, extremely moving. I found myself in tears at least 50 percent of the time but it was well needed and worth it. At one point, they showed a video of various lead worshippers sharing what worship means to them personally. Moxie Davis, a regular at BC, said something that struck a particular chord with me. He commented that when he is worshipping God, he pictures how pleasing it is to the Lord when he gives praise wholeheartedly, and how much God enjoys our worship when we truly mean it.

Tonight they set up the foyer of the church with various stations including "Worship through Art" and "Worship through Taste." I am often moved deeply by worship, especially the kind that includes music. I think it's because music moves me in my soul. I can identify not only with the meaningful lyrics, but also the rhythms and melodies that God has gifted someone to create in order to help us worship Him through music. When I think about the words I'm singing, and how it honors God to sing those love songs to Him, like a special gift that we give right in that moment---I feel a wave of emotion wash over me and it's a huge release.

Tonight as I stood in that auditorium, it was as if I could sense the hurting people around me. I thought about how I wished that I could take the pain and hurt away from many of my friends, and how I would just about give anything to help them not feel that pain or experience what they are going through. All of this was what I was feeling during worship, and then suddenly it hit me. This is how God felt so long ago when His relationship with us was interrupted. Every time I choose to disobey Him, or dishonor Him, it's as if I am causing Him all this grief and pain. How sad that must make Him! Yet He chose to take that pain off my shoulders and bear it for me by sending Jesus. And it was in that moment that I truly began to see what worship was all about...it's about thanking a God who gave us exactly what we didn't deserve---a second chance at a relationship with the Creator of the universe who just happens to be madly in pursuit of a love relationship with us.

Funny word, grace. In ancient Greek, the word CHARIS means "grace, kindness." But in modern Greek, the same word means "behalf." Who knew God was a linguist? God's grace is epitomized in the fact that he showed us the ultimate kindness by sacrificing His only Son on our behalf.

And that's a story that is everlasting.

What Really Matters?

My roommate, Kelli, just got back from Kenya. She spent ten days handing out food to the hungry and medicine to the sick. She played with kids who were eager to show her some acrobatics or perform a song they had written. One child sang her a song he'd been writing about his future. The gist was that even though bad things have happened to him in his life, he knows he has a future and a hope because of Jesus. The child in the picture to the left is called Sam. I don't know the story behind Sam yet, but I will. What's important to know though is that God has already authored every day written in Sam's big life. And he matters.

I worry about things that don't even count in the scope of eternity: what should I eat for dinner---I have so much to choose from. Where should I buy a new shirt---there are 100 stores in the mall and money in my bank account.

Kel saw people who might not have had food unless her team had been there handing out sacks of grain. There were children with parasites and AIDS. Kids had clothes literally falling off of their bodies and their parents had no money to purchase new ones. But smiles are on these faces, a peace that passes understanding. And all because of Jesus.

Kind of brings American consumerism to a halt, doesn't it?

Hard is Worth It

Here we are at Gig on the Grass in June. What a fabulous night!

It has been my recent observation that some of the toughest things in life, though difficult, are totally and completely worth it. I've observed this in several friends who recently had babies, and also in those who are working hard to get out of debt or better themselves by going back to school. Though the journey may not always be fun, we gain so much along the way. I am so thankful for the people God is continually putting in my life to teach me this.

Over the weekend, Scott and I saw the movie, Evan Almighty. Morgan Freeman's character, God, comments to Evan in the film that when you pray for God to give you patience, He doesn't merely give you patience, but rather the opportunity to practice being patient. I thought this was a good point. How often do I pray that God will do this or that and then act surprised when we are given a chance to work on what we prayed for? Just something to think about. Not easy, but it's so worth it.

Order of the Phoenix

Peeking outside one of the Hogwarts Express trains (Scotland).

Another of the trains we rode which was used as the Hogwarts Express!

Just finished seeing the newest Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. VERY GOOD. My review is two thumbs up! It was very cool watching this film and knowing that I very recently stood inside some of the castles and rode in the trains used in the movie. It was all very exciting. The Scottish countryside is very evident in this film.
I was also equally impressed with newcomer Evanna Lynch who played the part of Luna Lovegood (A.K.A. "Loony Lovegood"), who befriends Harry in Year 5. Something else I noted this time: the scene in which Lucius Malfoy is attempting to talk Harry into giving up the prophecy was vaguely reminiscent of the serpent with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I found that connection something to think about, as some predictions are that there will be an allegorical ending to the series.
Lots of twists and turns in this one and now I can't wait until the final installment in Deathly Hallows next week. Admittedly though, it will be quite sad when the saga is over. We've all grown so accustomed to hearing about Harry and his friends. But they still have to make movies 6 and 7, so that gives us something to look forward to for now!

How Deep?

Today I have been listening to Francis Chan's talks from the Labor Day Retreat last year. The series is called, "This Thing Called Love," and it's about how deeply the Lord desires a love relationship with us. It's pretty amazing to just sit back and reflect on that for a moment. I think my new journey in Scripture is going to be finding verses that talk about God's love for us. Francis Chan says that because he did not grow up knowing the love of his own father---nor anyone else for that matter---that he honestly did not begin to fathom how much God cared for him until he was married and had his little girl, Rachel. He explains in his talk that when he realized that God's love for him was much like his own love for his daughter, he could not believe it. He kept saying to himself, "Is it possible that God can love ME like this?"

I can't help but feel sorry for all the things I've done that have not been glorifying to God. Jesus sacrificed everything for me, yet still I hurt people's feelings and follow my own agenda. I say that I love God, yet I put so many things before Him. But He loves me anyway. That is unconditional love.

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life (Isaiah 43:4, NIV).

The Creator of our universe calls me precious and honored! The least I can do is live a life that is Holy and pleasing to my Heavenly Father. I'll end with the lyrics from one of my favorite songs that I first learned when I was doing a Christian youth camp in England one summer:

How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure
That He would give His only Son, To make a wretch His treasure...

Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom.
(by Stuart Townend)

Two Shellfish

Why couldn't the lobster and the shrimp get along? Because they were two shellfish.

I've done it. I've officially started a blog that is not on MySpace or Facebook. Because you know what I hate about both of those very time-consuming sites? If you aren't a member, you don't get to read them! This saddens me deeply so after much deliberation, I have decided to join the ranks of my friends outside of MySpace and provide an opportunity for everyone to experience the Adventures of Autumn.

And that brings me to my very first blog. What should I write about? Unlike many of my friends I can't write about my baby's latest tricks or my husband's travel adventures. Note: I do not have a baby or a husband, so that wouldn't make sense, would it? But there are important things in the life of a single girl that I can touch on and maybe one or three of them will touch you too.

So I could write about difficult things such as asking my downstairs neighbor to turn the bass down so my floor would cease vibrating last night (which he did!). I could write about the tree in the picture you see here. Or I could write about the Loud Talker at lunch today. Now that I think about it, I believe I'll write about all three.

Last night my downstairs neighbor was cooking out and having a good time with his friends. They were seated on his patio, while the music was blaring from inside his condo. I know this because I could hear them talking from my porch, and I could feel the vibrations of the bass through the floor in my kitchen, dining room and living room. In the past, I have had to deal with this and have done so by calling the police. But this time, I decided to be bold. So I took a deep breath, rehearsed what I was going to say and opened my porch door. I leaned over the balcony and said, "Hi. It's me, up here. I was just wondering, could you maybe turn down your bass some? It's really loud." He saw me, looked up and said, "Oh. You can hear that?!" very jovially. I said, "Yes, I can feel my floor vibrating." And believe it or not, he turned it down! Just like that! I was so relieved that I could watch my movie without the club remix happening below me.

Today is Monday and my Monday lunch spot is often La Madeleine. I love this place. It is so atmospheric that when I enter through the glass-paned wooden doors I feel as if I'm stepping into Europe. I always arrive during the lunch rush, which means it is a hive of activity. Standing in line today I noticed a single guy, reading his book while dipping his bread into his cup of Tomato Basil soup. I noticed two women in front of me in line who were chatting on and on about various topics. I noticed two, Indian women eating and laughing at a table nearby. I always look forward to hearing a plethora of languages around me in this place. It is refreshing and reminds me that I'm not the only one on this planet.

After ordering my ciabatta turkey melt, I situated myself at a round table near the window (better light for reading). I took one sip of my sweet, iced tea when I heard him. The Loud Talker. He was facing me, and his dining companion's back was to me. They were businessmen. His voice was so loud. His friend barely uttered a word, and when he did, I couldn't hear him because he was a Quiet Listener. A patient soul. When they finally left, Loud Talker was on his cell phone.

But we all know there's another side to every story. My neighbor wasn't doing anything inherently wrong, and he had no idea the music was causing disruption in my life. Loud Talker just needed to vent, or maybe he was lonely. Quiet Listener provided him a gracious ear.

It occurs to me that deep down, we are all selfish. It is the original sin, really. It's saying that my needs and my desires are the most important thing in the universe, above the needs or desires of others. I've heard it said that the biggest problem with sin is the "I" in the middle of the word. True. When Adam and Eve chose to eat the apple, they were in essence saying, "God, we heard what you said but we think our way is better. And we want to taste that apple right now. So thanks anyway." And that was that. No good came from it either.

In America we are bombarded by maintaining our "rights." The smoker says he has a right to smoke, even if it infringes on the rights of others in a crowded area. An angry, rush-hour driver thinks it's her right to fly past everyone else, with or without signaling. It's supposed to be our right to do what we want to do, believe what we want to believe. After all, this is America. Selfish, spoiled America.

Which brings me to my photo, which was not taken in America. It was taken in Glencoe, Scotland, known to be the place of the McDonald Clan massacre centuries ago. I took this photo last month, because it was a beautiful view. It wasn't until I got home and developed the pictures that I realized what an amazing perspective it offered. Not only do I get the tree branches dangling in front of me in the foreground, but I get the green, mountainous landscape in the background. It's a peaceful view. Part of me would like to still be standing there.

Sometimes I tend to rush to conclusions about others without maintaining the proper amount of perspective. It's very easy to do. But if I just step back---as with my photo---and see what the bigger picture is all about, I might gain some patience and grace in return. Just like Quiet Listener. Who would have thought a man in a restaurant would teach me a lesson?

Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. ~Oscar Wilde