Colorado Summer

School's starting on Tuesday, and I'm quite excited! It's been a good summer around here, and I'm eagerly looking forward to some meaty posts I've been working on for y'all. In the meantime, though, I thought I'd give you a taste of what summer looks like here in CO. You've seen winter and spring...now, with summer coming to a close, enjoy these happy reminisces, some with hints of fall in the air. ;)

Meridian

P.S. If it is simply taking too long to look through all these, be at peace: I'm going to add a photo section soon! :)

This flower looked almost fake, it was so beautiful.

Oddly, though, it was not with the rest of the zinnias...

It was just there, plop in front of the raspberries.

No, really...we don't live on a farm...

It's just our garden. :)

I love the soft lavender color.

These cover our fields.

This flower popped up in the middle of the aspens.

My grandparents gave us this tree when it was just a little shoot.

I love having fresh peaches!

The lighting was just so amazing...

Fall is coming!!

I can just smell the cinnamon

These grow on the vine heading into our garden.

I just pointed my camera randomly that way in the garden...and here was this heavenly beauty!

When you don't pluck off the old flower...a new one grows right on top!

One of our zinnias.

More signs of autumn.

The Millions and the Message

There are two things which the Lord has been putting increasingly on my heart for quite some time: light and 1.1M. Before you close out this window and see this as another one of my overly-inspired posts, keep reading. What I'm about to tell you is a story.

Once upon a time, in the land of Self-Absorption, there lived a princess named Meridian. When she was just a little girl, Meridian found out that her heavenly father was the king of everything, and that he took great delight in her, so much that he sent his son to die for her sins! She was so happy to discover this that she made him her king. But soon she grew up, and learned the ways of the people of Self-Absorption. She cared for nothing but her own glory, and to build her own wealth of knowledge. From time to time she would remember the king, and praise him for a season, but she never understood what it meant to truly serve him as a citizen of his kingdom. 

After a while, Meridian met a wonderful friend who each time they met asked her not what her life was filled up with, nor what she succeeded in next, but rather where her heart was, if it was fully for the king. Some days it was, but most she'd avoid the question, talking about his love for the king, and not her own. But since the king was in charge of everything, he saw that his daughter didn't love him with her whole heart, and so he put friends into her life who did not love the king at all. Then Meridian began to try to make them love him, but most of them refused, and so she made new friends, who like her were half-heart citizens. Now more than ever, her life was about her, and nothing mattered except what concerned her. But soon she grew weary of this, and so began to look for approval from everyone she met. Teachers, friends, parents, strangers, whomever she might please. And still it wasn't enough. Tired of life as she had known it, seeking a greater purpose, Meridian talked to the king, and told him she needed something new. 

So, her father in heaven and her earthly parents told her she might go to a gathering she thought would calm her storm within. Thousands of boys and girls flooded through the doors like a hurricane, and Meridian was one of them. There she found that she needed no approval from anyone but the king, and even so, all the people she wanted approval from already loved her in earnest. At that place, in that moment, the girl began to weep.  Her approval came from the king, God, and he had loved her all along. Wanting with everything in her to please this king, and to give everything she had for his sake, she knelt and prayed, "Oh, God, how can you use me?" One of her close friends prayed with her, pleading the king to show his will.

And the very next day, a man spoke, and told how the king's great heart was full of love and passion for those who had no voice. And though the man spoke of widows and orphans and the poor, Meridian knew that there was another people who had no voice at all. The one thing Meridian always had a passion for, the single thing in which she perhaps did not think of herself, was in politics. In this realm she had always wished to hold a job, to have influence. And in this arena she knew that laws had been made which allowed millions of children to die every year, before they ever got to see the light. They had no voice. God had a heart for them. As the man was speaking, he asked for those who wished to help those without a voice, to come with him and pray. Out of the thousands who were there, only a few stepped forward. At first, Meridian stayed back. But then a voice cried out within her, "GO! This is where you must be. There is a need, it has not been met. There is darkness all around. There may be many voices calling out to save these lives, but they must be united through me. You must help unite them." Then, almost as though a wind picked her up from her seat, Meridian ran to the man, and there she prayed, and found that if she did not do what she had heard, her life would not meet its purpose. 

Until that day, Meridian had always yearned in her heart for something to be so impressed upon her, that she could use her politics for. Ending death before life had always been a whisper in her ear,but one she did not believe she could truly follow. She thought she was too young, too powerless, and without any new ideas to bring to the table. Now, God gave her a vision of thousands of people coming to know him through something she could do, and as they saw him, the reality of the beauty of life being realized. And through this  she came to see that God would be her strength and would give her whatever influence she needed; Lord willing, she knew that defeating abortion in her generation was a real possibility, with God on her side.

Yes, friends, that's my life in a nutshell. So, why are those two terms -- light and 1.1M -- important to me? 

Light is referenced 277 times in the Bible. Most often it is used in contrast to darkness. My personal favorite verse about light is 1 Peter 2:9, "...but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may declare the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." Isn't that beautiful? If you are in Christ, you are chosen. (Thus my last post). As a chosen one, you get to spread light wherever there is darkness. For me, the arena in which I want to focus my beacon, if you will, is ending abortion. 1.1 million is the number of babies aborted every year in the United States. 42 million is the number worldwide. Life is precious. It is a gift of God that no one can create, and as such, no one has a right to destroy (outside of the contexts of war/defense, and capital punishment). Abortion is ending lives in the name of women, yet in the process it is destroying little future women, and hurting the lives of those women who experience the "procedure." 

Yet, God gives grace, and that's what I want to show. That's where my beacon of light must shine strong. At that conference ("gathering") I attended, one of the speakers gave us a challenge. It was the very last message, and I was *amazed* at how much it impacted me. What he told us may very likely change my life forever. His message was this: God doesn't want lukewarm people, but he does want to use each of his children. If he doesn't want us lukewarm, but he wants to use us, what does that mean? It can mean only one thing. In the words of the apostle Paul: So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. He doesn't say do some to the glory of God. He doesn't say do most to the glory of God. He says do ALL to the glory of God. Everything. The theme of the conference was, "All to Him." And indeed, that's what I want to give. 

For this cause, and more ultimately for the sake of the Gospel, as far as I am able I am willing to give all my money, all my time, all my talents, all my energy, all my intellect, and all my passion for this cause. 

A thought that struck me the other day, when I was sick, was the reality of how many children won't be able to get sick on account of abortion. On the surface a comforting thought, until you consider that those same children won't be able to make new inventions, write new songs, paint beautiful portraits, build businesses...they won't be able to bring glory to God. The Westminister Shorter Catechism asks, "What is the chief end of man?" And, as any student of theology knows, the answer is very clear: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever." By ripping away lives, we are preventing new people from glorifying God. We ourselves are not glorifying him simply in this act. What if one of those children was the next Hudson Taylor? We'd never know, because they didn't have a chance to try.

Men really are endowed with rights. They are inalienable. And, as the framers of the Declaration so poignantly showed, the first among these is life. Only in life, earthly and spiritual, will anyone experience liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Praising God for his amazing grace,

Meridian.

What do California, Massachusetts, and New York have in common?

A lot of things. For instance, they are all in the USA. They all are home to lots of people. But, more important to my post today...they're all liberal.

Several weeks ago I struck up a conversation with a lady from California, and it came about that I told her how I feel called to politics/law. I also told her how I really want to live on one of the coasts. She smiled and said, meaning well, "Oh, honey, if you're gonna move anywhere to do politics, make sure it's conservative, because a kid like you just couldn't make it in a place as liberal as the coasts are." I explained to her how I felt like that was an unChristian response, because we are called to make right what is messed up, not avoid it. She said that these places were hopelessly impossible. I told her how Washington wasn't supposed to cross the Delaware, Wilberforce wasn't supposed to end slavery, and Alfred the Great wasn't supposed to save England. Finally she admitted I might have a small chance, and dared me to go someplace liberal. So, my post's question is answered. I've got to go. But I'm not going just to prove I can do the impossible, I'm going because I am called. When I recently realized I had a calling to go to one of these tricky places, I stopped dead in my tracks. ME!?! WHAT? Why me? And, through some good sermons, wonderful encouragement of friends, and especially an amazing conference that got me to do some Scriptural searching...I ended up with this "letter from God." It's just basically a collage of Scripture passages, with explanations and bridges in between. If you feel called to anything, whether that's seeing a national revival and a conservative swing, or going to the middle of South America to preach the Gospel, this letter is for you, too. I hope it will bless you deeply!

To My Child, Whom I Love Beyond Words.
From Your Father in Heaven.

I want to speak with you. Don't worry! You haven't done anything wrong -- in fact, you are my chosen one! You are part of a royal priesthood, and you are holy in my sight. But that's just why we need to talk. You see, I've got some great news. First, though, let's clarify our roles in this conversation, okay?

My son and I agreed it'd would be good to remind you that he is my image, and he is the firstborn over all Creation. I, by the way, created everything -- including you. I created everything that is visible and invisible, even kings and those in power! I have absolute control over everything, and the only reason your life, or anything that ever was, exists...is because of me. As for my son, whom you call Jesus, he is not only the firstborn of creation, but also the firstborn among the dead. That means he died and rose for you! But hold that thought for a minute. He is the ultimate head of the church, and he is preeminent over everything. I was pleased to give him every ounce of myself, so that I could use him to save you, and to fix our broken relationship. That's where you come in.

Until my son gave his life for you, you were an alien to me. Your mind, your body, everything about you was foreign to me. Even I, who was your creator, for I could not bear to look at you in your sinfulness! But my child, you turned to me! And yet it was not you who did this work, it was I through my son Jesus Christ. For no one can come to me whom I have not called. You, though, who I once had hated with all my heart, I now can love with every drop of blood that was shed on your behalf. I called you out of the pit of darkness, into my marvelous light. You are the apple of my eye and I keep you carefully guarded in the shadow of my wings. That is why you are chosen, royal, and holy; that is why I can call you mine; and that is why we needed to talk.   

My child, stand on your feet and pay attention. If you will allow my Spirit to enter you, fill you, and speak with you, then you will surely hear my voice. I am sending you to America (or perhaps to another nation), for its people are rebellious. For generations they have not known me. They are stubborn, but you must tell them about me. Cry out to them, "Make straight the way of the Lord!" And whether they listen to you or not, they will know that I am with you. Those who do not follow me will be terrified by you, simply because of my presence in you. But as for you, have no fear of them, because they are rebels.

I see you right now, and you are acknowledging that this is a great and lofty calling, but you claim to be too young. You say you cannot represent me as you should. Don't say that! Whoever I want to listen to you will listen, and whatever I tell you to say, you shall say.  I am commanding you right now to be strong and courageous, to meditate upon my word and never veer from it, and to proclaim it. Then you will be successful, because I will be with you wherever you go! When people see how young you are, they will realize that I am with you, because no young person on their own account could accomplish what I am asking you to accomplish. The people will be astonished. My child, the reason you will never fear is because I am with you. I am putting you over nations, over authorities, and you will have the power to build up and tear down whomever I will.


I am making you a witness and leader for the peoples. They will run to you, because I will glorify you. But when you are glorified, do not allow others to think you have done it on your own. Instead, keep running forward for the prize I have reserved for you in heaven, holding true to what you already have in me. By this, you shall be my mouth and my words will be on your lips. I will speak what I wish, and what I speak will not come back empty. It will accomplish whatever I set out for it to accomplish. 


I'm not going to make this all easy for you, though. There is work involved! See to it that your manner of life is worthy of the Gospel, because this is your source of courage and it is the testimony that will astonish the people. But you see, although you may do work for my name's sake, you must also suffer, and indeed you must forsake whatever you had as loss. This is my will, for no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.  An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.  It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. So you must work for the prize awaiting you in heaven, and you will awake the dawn!


Devote yourself to prayer and to the ministry of the word, and in this way my words will continue to prevail mightily. By you, many will come to see me for who I am, and they will increase who have faith. Consider the poor, and when you are in trouble I will protect you. And, oh, my child, will you ever see trouble. The enemy will seek to kill and destroy, but you must pray to me and seek my strength in your weakness. Call out your just cause, and I will attend your cry! I will vindicate you, I will defend your cause, I will deliver you from evil. I will fulfill my purpose for you when you cry out to me. What I am doing now you may not understand, but afterward yo will. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. I will strengthen you with all power, endurance, patience and joy. Then you shall do all things through me, for I strengthen you. I equip you with strength for the battle, and those who rise against you will sink under you. I will rescue you from your enemy, for though they are too mighty for you alone, nothing is impossible with God. You see, the world cannot truly hate you. I am the one it hates, for I condemn it. I have taken this burden from you, which is why you can be free. 


Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Behold my face in righteousness; be satisfied with my likeness. Exalt my strength, and sing my power. Let my light and truth lead you, and bring you to my holy  hill, to my dwelling. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. 


And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.


Eager to use you,


God.

You Vote!

Inspired by my fantastic friend D.C. Salmon, I decided to give you, my readers, a heads up on the kinds of posts you may have an option to read. I'm not listing all of my drafts, because some of them I either will delete or they'll take too long, or for some other reason they just wouldn't happen any time soon. But, on the left sidebar you'll see a list of the posts that might just interest you. Select the ones that appeal to you most, and I might finish them for you. :) And, if no one responds for some reason, well...I know which one I'll do next. Mwahaha!

Meridian

I'm Back!

Well, in actuality, I haven't gone anywhere, though I've been so busy I may as well have gone somewhere. But I'm "back" for about nine days, before I really go somewhere. And, even during that time, I don't have a whole lot of extra minutes, so just to keep you from thinking I deserted you somewhere out in the middle of the Sahara, I'm putting up a few pictures of the Colorado beauty that I've been surrounded with for the last several weeks. :) And yes, I really took these pictures...CO is gorgeous, amen?