God IS Love

I'm reading this book called "Incomparable: Exploring the Character of God." There have been so many things that God has revealed to me about Himself, me, and my relationship with Him over the last 4 months in Korea. But the most prevalent thing He has been pressing on me is the truth of His overwhelming love. How I can feel Him loving me through others. How I'm able to love others better because He loves me.

The chapter "God is Love" was just so good that I wanted to put a big chunk of it up here. Here goes.

"... Come to a cowshed in the Middle East in 4 BC. Love is not a fuzzy feeling, but a self-giving commitment that results in action... It involved sending the Son, from his position in heavenly glory and sinless perfection, to earth, to become flesh. ... It involved the Son laying aside his majesty and becoming an infant who fell over and vomited and soiled his nappy and grazed his knees. It involved walking a mile in our shoes, facing temptation of all kinds, misunderstanding, bereavement and rejection. 'In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.'

Now come with me about ten miles north of there, to a rubbish dump outside Jerusalem, 33 years later. Much has changed. The infant, the most powerful symbol of the love of God that could ever have been given, has grown up into a man, but a man no longer physically recognisable because of the welts on his face and the ripped flesh across his chest and back. The sky above him no longer has bright stars in the night, but dark clouds in the day. The two people next to him are not loving parents, but common criminals; the crowds have changed from saying 'Hosanna in the highest' to 'His blood be upon us and our children'. His earthly father has died. His closest friends have abandoned, denied or betrayed him. His enemies have mocked and humiliated him. The government has stripped, tortured and crucified him. And the wrath of God at all our lies and lusts and pride and envy and greed is being poured out on him, breaking utterly the fellowship with the Father and the Spirit which he has experienced and exulted in since before the foundation of the world.

If that doesn't explain to you what the love of God is, come closer to the cross, and listen to what Jesus is saying. The only one who matters is thinking of his mother, his friend, and even the criminal next to him. The God who created water is asking for a drink. The God-man whose presence had never borne any sin is crying out in anguish at being forsaken by his Father. The man with nails through his wrists and feet, his lungs slowly filling with his own blood, is crying out, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' Astoundingly , the one who decided to allow man to make his own choices, is now fully experiencing their consequences, is shouting triumphantly that those consequences have been dealt with, finished - a victory cry which still resounds across history, affirming once and for all that the love of God is a love of both power and passion, both perfection and propitiation."

Oh, how He loves us so.

Ballad of an Almost Christmas

As it is finally the week of Christmas I want to take this time to say... it doesn't seem like Christmas at all. Don't get me wrong, I've had a great December - God has blessed me so much with friends and love. What I miss though, is family.

I miss my sisters. I miss our crazy Christmas skit tradition.

Every year, we would wake up our parents and tell them to come out to the living room in 5 min. Then we would get in our places. Guess which one I was:

1. a. Mary, b. Joseph, and c. a wiseman

2. a. Santa, b. his elf, and c. the reindeer

3. a. 1st present, b. 2nd present, c. 3rd present that had to wrap itself after wrapping 1st and 2nd.

If you guess c for all, you were right! Congratulations. You got a look into my childhood.

I miss my parents. I miss the perfect gifts they would give. Even last year when we didn't get home til Christmas night from being snowed out of Seattle, my mom had a book by J.M. Barrie and my dad had a book by George MacDonald. Perfect.

I miss the house. The Christmas village on top of the piano, the REAL Christmas tree (though I guess right now I'd take a fake one with all our ornaments). The different ornaments mom got us every year, so we have a collection all our own. The Christmas music playing constantly from the moment I got up til I layed my head down, throughout the month of December. Watching movies every night (Muppet Christmas Carol, White Christmas, The Santa Clause, Jingle All the Way, It's a Wonderful Life). A Christmas puzzle a day... at least it seemed like.

Of Decembers, I've had the best. But I miss Christmas.

I Tried...

I really did.

But something snapped tonight and I couldn't wait. I lit'rally couldn't stop my fingers from typing those little white keys on my Mac in the iTunes search tab - "Hotel Cafe".

Wait, what, you ask? Yes, yes I said Hotel Cafe.

Last winter Hotel Cafe, a small and amazing venue in Hollywood, released a Christmas album comprised of such great voices as Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Colbie Caillat, Fiona Apple, and more. But, alas, I did not obtain said album until March of this last year and that was way too early to begin the Christmas music. I distracted myself well enough since then, yet this album was always in the back of my mind (and my iTunes) waiting to be played.

Tonight, it happened.

I came home. Lit some candles. Put on a pot of English Breakfast tea. Which is all fine. This has been done before and the temptation has been resisted, if yet begrudgingly. But not tonight. Tonight there were twinkle lights. They had to be hung up.

One can't very well have all of this Christmas feel and NOT have the music. I mean, it would've been wrong. How wrong? Well, more wrong than listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving, I would think. And did think. Thought.

Because I did it. I listened to Christmas music before Thanksgiving. So sue me. Wow, haven't used that phrase in a while. Fitting.

Some Thinking

"As the days keep turning into nights, and even breathing feels alright..."

Philippians 4:12 - I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

We started a Bible study Thursday morns at beloved Kim's house, and we're going through Philippians.

I love Philippians. I love that in my Bible there is a note that says content can also mean self-sufficient. Of course, not a self that is independent of God. It's one that is fully dependent on Him; complete in that dependence and content in it. Needs nothing else. Self-sufficient.

It's really not that hard to know this contentment in Korea though. I would say God has given me more than plenty. I'm full. A deep fullness that almost hurts at how close and real it is.

1 Corinthians 13:12 - Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I feel known here. So close and so real.

So Much...

"How is Korea?"

I can answer this very simply - "amazing." But any way I answer will never convey how completely blessed I am to be over here. Even if I were able to explain it, it wouldn't do my life here justice. I can't convey that much understanding in one simple answer. How do I explain the peace I feel? The gratitude and freedom? The love I feel? So much love.

Here's how I'll start.

Whitney: Mama Hen. She takes care of us. She has such an open and welcoming heart and personality. She's Canadian. I feel safe and happy around her. Effortless calming presence. Great spooner.

Charissa: I am amazed and jealous of her sense of adventure. I can always count on her to remember any minute detail of our friendship - and there are many. We quote movies, books, and TV shows. She is legen - wait for it - dary.

Tayla: There is so much life in her. I love her humor - she can always make me laugh. She is so direct and open. Most quoted person of our group, I would say. "Lovin you!"

Kelsey: I can't get over how much she loves people. Loves talking to them, and really getting to know them. And we lived on a sailboat together - oh yes.


Kelly: She has such a huge heart. And it was open immediately to all of us. She loves with her whole self, and has such a determined and passionate faith. I trust her scootering abilities completely.

Anna: "I love your hair." Serious statement. She is wise and caring. I look up to her for both these qualities. She is so talented - I could listen to her sing and play the uke for hours "... and teach them how to dance..."

Katie: Full of joy. It overflows from her into all the rest of us. I love being around her, and I love how motivated she is. I respect her determination. If I ever feel like swing dancing, I know who to call.

So how do I answer the question: "How is Korea?" Can I answer it with a grammatically incorrect answer? Shhh... don't tell my students.

"So much Amazing."

Oh the People You'll Meet

Real Conversation - started by discussing the Asian delicacy of dog.

Mindy: So you think a Chihuahua would go good with salsa?

Frankel: The power of advertising. You know Chihuahua, the dog, is actually an Asian dog?

Hannah: Then how was it named after the city in Mexico?

Frankel: Actually, the dog was named first. The city was named after the dog.

Me: How did the Asians name their dog a Mexican name?

Frankel: Well, Chihuahua is actually a Native American word.

Hannah: So, how did the dog end up over here?

Frankel: About 10,000 years ago they walked across the land bridge between Russia and Alaska over the Bering Strait with the huskies, and then down through Canada and America. Or else, they came across on a ship. Imagine that, a Chihuahua on a Polynesian ship.

It was around this time my mouth dropped open. I couldn't believe my good fortune of being able to be a part of such an epic conversation. Maybe not epic. Quote-worthy for sure. Hence, this post.

Thursday Class

Me: Hungry is the opposite of starving. (I was very tired)

Pluto: No, Teacher. Let me do it. See watch - hungry is the opposite of full and starving is the opposite of full. See?

---------------------------

Me: Okay, so today we're going to try something new called an Oral Summary.

Pluto: A Yellow Submarine???