yeeland’s Neighborhood

the soul and truth

"Man himself is a great deep, and you, Lord, number the very hairs of his head and in your sight they are not lost. Yet the hairs of man's head are easier to number than are his affections and the impulses of his heart. How abject and helpless the soul is before it learns to cling to the solidity of truth! I did not know [at the time] that my soul needed to be illumined by another light, if it was to be a partaker of truth, since it is not itself the essence of truth."

- St. Augustine, Confessions

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Christine
Dec 10, 2009
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i'd forgotten just how sweet your mercies are, Lord...

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Christine
Dec 6, 2009
1 comment

I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You are yourself the answer. Before your face, questions die away. What other answer would suffice? Only words, words; to be led out to battle against other words.

-C.S. Lewis

light!

Christine
Dec 3, 2009
2 comments

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness..." (John 8:12)

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Acts 3

You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

so painful. is this pruning or chopping.

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Christine
Nov 30, 2009
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Sad things :(
Idols and anxiousness

Happy things :)
We are workers approved by God (2 Tim. 2:15)
It is God's gift to enjoy our toil (Eccl. 5:18-19)
God takes away our reasons to boast so that He is glorified, not us (1 Cor. 1:28-29)
And it is okay that we have not yet been made perfect (Phil. 3:12)

A lot to be thankful for

Cosmo
Nov 26, 2009
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I got an e-mail from a friend. He got some stuff that I sent him. He basically wrote that he got the stuff and ended by saying 'Have a good Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for'

I think he had it right. Stress or not in life, it's been good. Every year, you at least be thankful for the new additions - the kids - Carmel, Lucas, Blaise, Nathan. The kids that are to come for friends. The growth of kids that you've known for awhile. The beauty of being an uncle to family and Family.

The weather is nice and cool outside - 45 right now, but there is definitely a warmth that comes to mind with you are minded of the babies that just fall asleep on your shoulder or the little kids that run around and then glue themselves to your leg - and the occasional wrestling.

I have not eaten so well in years. New York was phenomenal - it has a special place in my stomach - and extra compartment that just opens up. I have enjoyed many wonderful meals with friends and family. They have always been gracious to share their new discoveries with me. An extra mmm mmm to Snow's, the chicken and rice cart and Korean Fried Chicken.

Work in this economy truly is a blessing - to be able to interact with others and be given wages to live on. If I had not changed jobs, I would have had a lot more stress in life for a 1% raise at best. Instead I am at a new job with less stress and a more than 10% raise. With that I have been thankful and able to think more generously about giving to others - taking care of the bill or contributing more. I am thankful to be able to give more.

I am thankful for the openness of my friends. I went through a pretty rough patch with the passing of my uncle Pat. I was surrounded with friends that knew how to listen well more than anything else. They were good at giving me my space and being around when I needed someone. I have engaged in some pretty tough conversations of what happens when faith intersects life, and I am honored to be around people that will listen and wrestle with the issues - not give answers, but giving their hearts to the issue . . . not even the issue - the people that it affects.

Aside from the traffic on the roads, I really like Thanksgiving. Before the craziness of what people think is a cultural entitlement to gifts, there is this time of coming together for a meal - a true communion.

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Christine
Nov 25, 2009
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no, i am saved from guilt; i have a Saviour that loves me so much he bore the weight of it all for me. "for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" and "since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (col. 3). why does she make me feel like it's all my fault? even the fact that i think it's my fault is my fault.

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Christine
Nov 23, 2009
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Here I am a sinner
Broken and in need of You
Take my life and wash my fears away
For You are the Great I AM
Rest assured, I feel Your hand
Holding me until the darkness clears.

:(

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Christine
Nov 20, 2009
2 comments

It is possible to come before the Word of God and not listen:

My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.

(Ezekiel 33:31)