MEMORY RESIDUE

The nature of man, the poor, and our general depravity: Stacking Stones Part VI

I'm finally getting settled (more or less) in the northern life of MN. That is, I'm getting a routine somewhat established to make life feel less like chaos and more like we (our family) is heading in an intentional direction. Sure, already, there are many things that I'm excited about, but before I go there, I must finish stacking stones. I realize that I've only stack 9 of 12, and I haven't neglected the task, but I've been meditating on it pretty regularly. Stone number 10 of the Arizona season of my life has been the scholarly, introspective & contemplative effort that I put into praying, learning, and understanding poverty. Finishing my degree in sociology was [...]

By Joel|2014-08-26T03:19:00+00:00September 29th, 2011|memories|

Whispers of sovereignty: Stacking Stones Part V

Today I've been sitting outside quite a bit (praying, working on my computer, thinking, etc), and I decided that one 'stone' in my Josh 4 memorial is nature. Not just generalized - nature as a concept - nature, but those moments when I get to commune with God. God often speaks to me through nature...not like a 'being one with nature kind of way,' but rather, nature being a sanctuary where my heart and mind can be still, and where I can pause and experience a 'come Lord Jesus' moment (being one with my Creator). God speaks loudly to me in the quiet (which may be paradoxical when put like that), that is, He speaks powerfully [...]

By Joel|2014-08-18T22:34:45+00:00August 23rd, 2011|Abandonment, Jesus Christ, nature, prayer, Stacking Stones|

Relentless Goodness: Stacking Stones Part IV

"O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, ‘Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.’ Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I [...]

By Joel|2014-08-18T22:34:45+00:00August 20th, 2011|Abandonment, Jesus Christ, memories, Stacking Stones, trust|

Lessons on the front lines: Stacking Stones part III

Probably the biggest stones in my memorial of this season, are related to the loss that we experienced in 2009 with the death of our baby boy Elijah. The documentation of this journey can be followed in the following posts:An Artist and Lover of God's Take on GriefCouragePicking Up the PiecesRegarding ElijahInstead of reiterating the journey and the emotions involved, here's what I learned, and they'll be stones in this Josh 4 memorial.It's OK to grieve, cry, and be broken. The grieving process takes...time. You don't just get over holding your lifeless baby in your arms. While people don't understand, as a father it shapes you, it changes you, makes you see life different, and if [...]

By Joel|2014-08-18T22:34:45+00:00August 17th, 2011|Abandonment, Jesus Christ, Stacking Stones, The Dangerous Kind|

Memoirs of a Visitor

The nature of man, the poor, and our general depravity: Stacking Stones Part VI

Whispers of sovereignty: Stacking Stones Part V

Relentless Goodness: Stacking Stones Part IV

Lessons on the front lines: Stacking Stones part III