We all know that there exists an unspoken hierarchy in our society where some are treated with more value and respect than others. When some express their belief in this ranking of people to be right and just, we call them classist or racist...or bigots. 

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

I believe that Jesus calls us to this continual re-thinking of the way we view the world and treat others. I am trying. I fail often...but I am always so captivated by what the Holy Spirit can do through me and in me to reveal light to the world.

Last weekend I attended a day long "Young Women's Conference" at North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad, CA. I have to say, it was one of the most thoughtful, intentional conferences I've attended. It was intentional in these ways: on the back tables were quilt squares to decorate and later would be made into a quilt for a local women's shelter, the bag we received upon arrival was a Freeset bag, and the food, speakers, worship were all well planned, thought provoking, deep and excellent. When you've put a zillion ministry events on, you can imagine that there's a certain amount of jading that happens...so it's immensely refreshing to sit back and enjoy something. 

A few years ago I listened to a podcast series that Rob Bell & Don Golden did called "Jesus Wants to Save Christians". I resonated with it deeply. I found myself listening to them over and over while at the gym.  I'm excited that Rob has made this series into his latest book.

From the time I was about 4 years old until I was 11, my grandparents on my dad's side were on the decline.  My grandpa had about a zillion strokes and brushes with cancer, and my grandma was blind and caring for him. They lived in a cute house in Burbank just about 4 miles from our home, and so it became our custom to bring dinner over. We did this about once a week. My mom would cook a full meal for all 6 of us (my mom, dad, brother, grandma, grandpa and I) and then take it over to their house. We would sit together at their table and spend time together and share in life.

My grandpa, a brilliant man who loved writing poetry and reading philosophy books, had been paralyzed on his left side by a few of the strokes. He could speak out of the right side of his mouth, but it was always slurred and slow, difficult to understand.

I remember watching my family feed him, and wipe his face when the food would slide down his chin. My mom and dad always pointed out to me how joyful he was, even though his situation was rather unfortunate. He lived this way for 7 years. Through one side of his mouth he would write beautiful poetry and my grandma would write it down, even though she was legally blind.  They would reminise and tell stories of all the times they traveled to national parks and to their favorite island of Hawaii. My dad would go and get them a Christmas tree each year, and my aunt would balance their checkbook.

            I would go over to play when my mom had something she needed to do, and my grandma would take my brother and I on nature walks around the neighborhood to collect acorns and seadpods which had fallen from the tree. One time we came home and strung all of the acorns together and made a necklace.  In those years we dyed easter eggs, made holiday cookies and sat on the swing in the backyard drinking fresh lemonade. This deep life we lived, despite the broken way things were, was so beautiful I wish you could have been there to see it.

            I think back on it, and I suppose that we could've really just dropped dinner off. We could have left what they needed and gone back to our house where it was easier to eat dinner and have a conversation. Instead we lived life together. We walked into hospital rooms together, and threw birthday parties and anniversaries around hospital beds and dinner tables. We prayed together and thanked God for all of our blessings.

            I suppose God could've just dropped Jesus off for 33 years, taken care of business, and then gone back to the comfort of His perfect place, but he hasn't. He's chosen to live life with us, by His Spirit in our midst.  He lived life on earth, to know what the human condition feels like and so now he knows how hard it can be. He gets us. I love that about Him. It's the amazing paradox of a God who knows the whole story...yet still will live it with us. He is so tender in the way he desires to walk the road with us, and not merely leave us the tools to do it, and then walk away. It makes for a deeper and richer life.

            When I look back on the last year of my life, I think of all the moments along the journey that have been so rich. The relationships with the people I've been able to walk the road with, have been transforming.  I have seen God move in a way that has developed a deeper trust, that no other circumstance could have taught me.

            The church burned down one year ago this Sunday. It's been difficult. I won't say it's been easy. I've been pushed and pressed and stressed in the most intense ways. We as a community have tried to choose joy and to consider it joy in this trial. In many ways, I've seen Malibu Pres "choose life" and as a church people we have said "yes" to this journey. When many could have walked away, we have grown in depth and care for each other.

            It's been good, and I think that deep life is about saying "yes" to walking well through life's trials. It's in walking the road that you get to see all the beauty, the ease of the other option is shallow and less than what God calls us into...life to the full.

Wow.

I just got home from the beach with some of the families from our church. They invited me to a bonfire. We roasted marshmellows and I heard about how much the kids loved camp.  Many of these kids asked Jesus into their hearts at VBS. We followed up by sending them a bible in the mail. Many of these kids took these Bibles with them to camp...and they are amazingly adorable...reading them and soaking His word in like sponges. I sort of feel like I handed Bibles out to people in communist China the kids are soooo excited.

I'm so in awe. I am in awe that God would use me and allow me to witness Him coming into the lives of these 4th and 5th graders. Epidemic bible reading. Everywhere I turn I hear a story of a child working on their own at home memorizing a bible verse or reading the bible before bed. It's totally amazing.

One mom told me that her child highlights almost every word in her bible and she said when questioned: "Mom, I'm highlighting it all because I think it's important."  She and her sister are determined to read it cover to cover.

Another girl wrote a beautiful thank you note to her parents saying "I used to not want to read the Bible and now I really want to all the time. I'm also going to try to be more patient with my brother. Thanks for sending me to camp."

Alana, who is in 4th grade, wrote me saying "I learned that God is always with you through rough times. It doesn't mean God will make it all better, but he'll be with you."

Caitlyn said "Kristie, God answers prayer and I've seen it happen over and over again. I really believe it. I was having a bad day...I prayed and then it got better!"

I'm blown away. I hear of families reading the bible together...and I think there is nothing that could make me happier and feel more fullfilled.

I sat there tonight as the waves crashed in the background and enjoyed the conversation and whispered a little prayer in my heart to Jesus "Thank you SOOO much!!!"