where would Jesus shop? flea market or ikea?

this summer my father-in-law introduced my husband and i to a show on the history channel called american pickers. let's just say i have a new favorite show. i love how these two guys go around to old barns, dig through people's junk, dust, (and who knows what else!) in order to rescue old broken and beat up pieces and give them new life in someone's home!  the things they find are incredibly unique and are worth so much money!

recently i've gotten into a little pickin' myself! i love going to the flea market or antique shop in search for a super unique piece or furniture or just a little trinket at a really good deal.  i found an old corner cabinet last fall.  it needed painting and a little restoring, but i could see the potential! (i'm not so sure matthew could, however!) but with a couple days work of sanding, cleaning and painting, I now have a super-cute corner cabinet in our little kitchen!

through the process i couldn't help but be reminded of how i share that corner cabinet's story.  i too am worn, chipped, cracked and in need of a new paint job.

and thankfully i have a saviour who came in and saw some potential in me when others might not have.  he's been sanding on me for a while, painting me new little by little.  im not perfect, but i've been and am still being restored.

i could have ran out and found something brand new, no work involved, and no love needed.

i didnt. i chose the one that needed love.

he could have given up on me and went out and found someone else, someone who maybe hadn't messed up like i have.

but he didn't.

he chose me.  he chose to love me in spite of my flaws.  he chose to pay the price for me, removing the debt i owed because of my sin.  he didn't get a good deal either, there was no bargain.

there was only one price to be paid. a sinless, perfect, righteous sacrifice. and he's the only candidate for that.

he gave himself. he died to buy me, canceling my debt, giving me new life.

praise him that he dug me out of that old, dirty barn! he redeemed my life from the pit and crowned me with steadfast love and mercy, and satisfies me with good so that my youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Ps.103:4-5)

and you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. he disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.   colossians 2:13-15

he doesn't start over again when we mess up.  he loves us, changes us, and makes us new.  he doesn't trade us in when we're cracked - going to the nice, neat showroom full of shiny and sparkling flawless people.  that place doesn't exist.

i think jesus would shop at the flea market.  i think he does everyday.

the power in a face

photo by christof flaschmann

tonight was one of the most bizzare nights i've had in a while.


while sitting at barnes and noble, i realize that there's a group of about 6-8 atheists sitting around talking right behind me. my heart started burning.


Lord, what do you want me to do?  I started jotting down my story, thinking what in the world do i have to say to them? What have you done for me that sets me apart from someone that doesn't know you?


suddenly i realized that you're in control. if i ask, you'll give me the words. if i step back, you'll lead me. i must only be willing.

God's will is not a place of a position. Im convinced its an attitude of submission. - Nathan Smith
So here i am.

His face is stuck in my head, in my heart - pushing me on to meet the rest of those sitting beside me at the coffee shop, taking my money at the store, in the seat beside mine on the plane.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O God.