Last night, I had the first back porch sit of the summer. Over Blue Moon and Oreos, I listened to stories that stole my heart and made me loose sleep. I was reminded that as a follower of Christ, I’m held to entirely new standard of living that is found nowhere else than in our obedience and response.

I hear your voice and I catch my breath, “Well done my child, enter in and rest.”

The 16 year old in me will always love Aaron Marsh.

These chains, the cause of your abrasions, still have their grip. So may you see every abrasion, every bruise, every tear… because their exposure will be the evidence that your chains are gone.

May you rejoice in the appearance of your abrasions and may you rejoice in the truth that Jehovah Rapha will repair. May the sounds of chains shattering be your victory song and may it be the loudest sound.

…And now, the links are irreplaceable and useless, just as they made you feel for so long. They lay on the ground in the shape of the serpent that placed them on you in the first place, now powerless.

After we throw these seemingly weightless chains into the sea, we stand up straight. Hand to wrist raised high, we praise Him…You didn’t you know were capable of singing this loud.

He lets bravery come and sit in our chest and the sun shine on our shoulders. Heart is no longer the muscle behind our ribs. It’s now the action that is enabling us to go back for our brother and sisters, still in chains.

He’ll protect us.

Fridays

-”Listen, good things are going to happen.” -Christiana Heaston

-Chaps are such the distraction.

-New lady moccasins.

-El Burrito.

-Dalton Brothers hang out.

-”I’ll stop the world and melt with Ju.” -Trey Lancaster

-After much careful planning, sneaking into New Brookland for Stretch Armstrong:
Sweat. Bruises. Hugs. Unison of each word. Encouragement.

-”Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.” -Ezekiel 2:1

Lloyd Dobler, circa 1989 is my boyfriend.

J&C

Jonathan and Chelsea got hitched in the sweet little mountains of Asheville this weekend. In the short year and half or so that I’ve been friends with them, they have always been a sweet and steady encouragement of the Gospel and purity of heart. And for that I love them both greatly.

“Manmade systems such as government and religion exert a power over others. These systems will always result in oppression and inequality. True Christian marriage stands in opposition to the systems of this world and calls individuals to a life of service to one another. This “power-under” system, so to speak, was epitomized by the life of Christ as he came under and served humanity. Surely, it is no more evident than on the cross. This idea is echoed in the worlds of Christ’s prayer on the night he was arrested, “Not my will but yours be done.” True unity can only be through the dissolution of the self. When one allows their own to be suspended by another, true intimacy can be obtained. Empty yourself of yourself.”

“We are the setting sun.
Our emptiness contains everything,
The beginning and the end.”

-Jonathan Atkinson

Welcome to the cuff of it all, my child. Take a second and look around. Look at how the sun shines on their shoulders.

Now run.

This is life, dear heart. This is your home. Welcome home, dear heart.

Roses, Cinderalla and Scarves

This is Kendra. She is one of the dearest people to me…She will be moving to France on January 6th for two years, minstering to and serving North Africans. I drove back from Greenville tonight with the heaviest heart I’ve had in a long time but only in circumstances such as these that I could have this heavy heart yet equally hold this much joy. Here’s some of a letter I wrote to her…

“My Sweet Kendra,

You’re the girl that I found out went to Whales and I wanted to talk to her about it. That was our first conversation… I couldn’t begin to tell you how precious you, your heart, and your friendship is to me. To say you’ve been an encouragement to me these past 2 years, would be the biggest understatement and I can honestly say I know the heart of Jesus more because of you. You’ve seen me at my lowest and highest but all in all simply, purely, and consistently  speaking truth and love into me. I never had anyone do that in the intentional way that you have.

One of the biggest things I take away from your friendship is you love of prayer. You set your feet in it. Move in it. Rest in it. I could never thank you enough for that and letting it overflow onto me. And the day we sat in my dorm room both with heavy hearts and prayed the Lord’s prayer together, I finally understood that a friendship rooted in Christ is bigger than the two friends themselves…and why that is beautiful and praise worthy.

You’re going on an adventure in a place that you’ve always adored and found magical. This is a literally a dream come true. And because we love you with the Love of Christ, we’re in this adventure with you. We’re by your side and sending your strength each and everyday.

You were meant to inspire people, my sisiter. The very subject of so many conversations we have had, is the very action you’re carrying out with Love. I encourage and challenge you to be vulnerable to him, letting him move in such a way that he may move how he intends to…and that you simply love Him more each new day.

I love you so much.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ” Ephesians 3:14-21

All My Love,
Ju

P.S.  Don’t marry a frenchman and move away forever or I’ll kick your ass.

“This is Jubilee.”