a day with the Lord Jesus

I am thinking about the words 'fellowship' and 'abide' today. In reading through 1 John, those words just keep coming up. I think John wants us to understand if we have fellowship with God, and thus with his people, then our lives will abide in that fellowship. It's difficult, you know, just to stay. To stick around, to fight with all your life to believe in the fellowship with God we have been given as a free gift through his Son, Jesus. To remain, abide. Yet, I am reminded...

He is the faithful one. He is the one who made fellowship with us, abiding in us. Giving us the ability to abide in Him. This is A REALLY BIG DEAL. If He is not faithful...well, I don't even want to know. 

Enjoy some words from Elizabeth Elliot:

|   We need to be refined. Peter wrote to God's scattered people, reminding them that even though they were "smarting for a little while under trials of many kinds" (they were in exile--the sort of trial most of us would think rather more than "smart"), they were nevertheless chosen in the purpose of God, hallowed to His service, and consecrated with the blood of Jesus Christ. With all that, they still needed refining. Gold is gold, but it has to go through fire. Faith is even more precious, so faith will always have another test to stand. Remember God's loving promise of 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is all you need; power comes to its full strength in weakness" (NEB).

But Thou art making me, I thank Thee, sire. 
What Thou hast done and doest Thou knows't well. 
And I will help Thee; gently in Thy fire 
I will lie burning; on Thy potter's wheel 
I will whirl patient, though my brain should reel. 
Thy grace shall be enough the grief to quell, 
And growing strength perfect through weakness dire. 
--George MacDonald 
--Diary Of an Old Soul, October 2  |   - taken from Elizabeth Elliot's daily devotional 

On a personal note,

I am sitting at my computer on a Tuesday afternoon in denver because our organization values our personal walk with Jesus, giving us a day with the Lord every month. I have been enjoying music, a cool breeze in our kitchen, arting the chalkboard, 1 John, John 10, my journal, and a quiet space to be still. I encourage you all to take a half day just with Jesus when you get some free time soon. It has come for me at a great time, after a long 5 weeks on campus, spending all my energy most days by 7 pm...and heading to bed a few hours later knowing little sleep awaits. I certainly feel like I am getting ready for Baby Mac to be here. I couldn't be more grateful or excited. 

Baby Mac is doing great - moving constantly and, I am sure, developing a great personality. I already delight in the little one more than he/she knows! 

downtown portland

independence pass

 my growing belly in Aspen last weekend, among the aspens at Maroon Bells...

Y'all have a great day.  - K