Today is a good day.

This morning I got up, had an english muffin and coffee (although I didn't quite do the coffee maker correctly... and there was coffee all over the counter...that's another story.), and now I am going to grab some theology and a sweater and sit on my front porch to watch the rain and think about what God is like.

I am currently at a place where I can see myself growing-- I can see where I've been, how I've gotten there, and realize that I am in a position to figure out myself and what I believe and why on a much deeper level than I ever have before. Let me explain.

When I first became a Christian, I learned a lot about God the Father, because really, I was starting from scratch and this idea of a God that was talked about in the bible was something I had no notions about. So I started devouring the word to see what he was like. Later, as I started to figure out my giftings, I really got acquainted with the Holy Spirit and learned to hear him speak and feel him move and follow his direction. And finally in college I have begun to understand God the savior-- Jesus. It started by going overseas and continued through life of Christ and has now taken this interesting turn.

Here's what I'm figuring out. If we want to know what God is like, we can't take our ideas about what God must be to scripture to make them fit. We must first look at what God has said about himself. God's greatest act of self-expression is found in the man of Jesus. When God wanted us to know what He was like, he gave up all of his heavenly glory, became one of us, and then was led silently like a lamb to the slaughter as we killed Him. God's defining characteristic is love. God has power, but God is love.

So I've been reading some theology to see what that means I believe about everything else. And that is kind of a big deal. But I like it. It has been a sweet journey. Not that any of these processes are ever finished, but I do think this is going to be a defining stage of my life.

I'll let you know how it goes. For now, I will enjoy the respite from the heat, the rain, and the goodness of the one who loves me beyond anything I could ever begin to understand.


Other awesome reading has included/will soon include: Psalms, The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg, and The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.


Lord, teach me to be with you and teach me to pray. That's what I ask for this summer of exile. Amen.