Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Just what I needed

I had just the weekend I needed
and wouldn't you know, I forgot my camera and have no pictures to show for it.

After a long and stressful school week,
[3 midterms, 6 (yes, SIX) papers, lots of social work endeveors, and very little sleep]
I was in definite need of some rejuvination.

I escaped to Dallas to spend time with my precious novio and my favorite cousin.
I enjoyed lots of sleep, good conversation, a sunset and a homemade meal,
lunch at Studio Grill while watching Where the Wild Things Are (so good!!),
delicious french toast at Cafe Brazil, good friends and great community at church.
A breath of fresh air.
Just what I needed to tackle this week before
joyous Homecoming weekend at Baylor :)


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Jim and Pam forever.

Jim and Pam . . .


forever :)

This episode truly made my heart happy and made me smile from ear to ear.

The world needs more love like Jim and Pam's.

Friday, October 9, 2009

my dad

Gerald Thomas Beck...
my dad.
If you know me well, you know the special relationship I have with my dad.
He is a prayer warrior. A faithful follower. A loving and gentle dad.


Among so many things my dad has taught me, he has shown me
boldness.
Boldness to serve, boldness to love, boldness to give and to share.
Mostly, the boldness to look beyond myself and to see the world.
This boldness has really got me thinking these days.

Isaiah 58-
A tough chapter to read.
Through Isaiah, God reveals His frustration for about 6 verses with the people of Israel.
He asks them why they act so pious. Why do they go to the Temple and seem so delighted to learn about Him, act as though they are righteous, and continue fasting when they are still fighting among themselves, oppressing their workers, and bragging about their fasting?
Yeah! Stupid Israelites. How dare you?! Right?!
No. I am the Israelite in this passage.
Me.
And maybe you are too? I don't know.

God says this is what He desires from us...
"No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them...
Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal...
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble.
Then your Light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry, and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."
[Isaiah 58:6-11, New Living Translation]

Feed the hungry. Shelter the homeless. Free the captives.
Then our Light will shine and we will be like an ever-flowing spring.

That is our gospel.
mmmmmm.

Monday, October 5, 2009

. . .

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
therefore He will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.

People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more.
How gracious He will be when you cry for help.
As soon as He hears, He will answer you.
Although the LORD gives you bread of adversity and the water of affliction,
Your teacher will be hidden no more;
with your own eyes you will see Him.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,
"This is the way; walk in it."

[Isaiah 30:18-21]

Thursday, October 1, 2009

this girl is good

I have unanswered prayers.
I have trouble I wish wasn't there.
and I  have asked a thousand ways
that You would take my pain away.

I am trying to understand
how to walk this weary land.
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine.

When my world is shaking,
Heaven stands.
When my heart is breaking,
I never leave Your hands.

When You walked upon the Earth,
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt.
I know You hate to see me cry.
One day You will set all things right.

Your hands that shape the world are holding me.
They hold me still.

[J.J. Heller - Your Hands]

check this girl out.