September 25, 2011
First day of Kindergarden
Posted by beth.jasper at 10:02 PM 1 comments
March 24, 2011
The one thing you can hang onto.
The gospel declares that no matter how dutiful or prayerful we are, we can't save ourselves. What Jesus did was sufficient. To the extent that we are self-made saints like the Pharisees or neutral like Pilate (never making the leap in trust), we let the prostitutes and publicans go first into the kingdom while we, in Flannery O' Connor's unforgettable image, are in the background having our alleged virtue burnt out of us. The hookers and swindlers enter before us because they know they cannot save themselves, that they cannot make themselves presentable or lovable. They risked everything on Jesus and, knowing they didn't have it all together, were not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace... when we acknowledge that we are paupers at the door of God's mercy, then God can make something beautiful out of us. This is the beatitude "Blessed are those who know they are poor" - To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace.
So then the gospel of grace calls out, Nothing can ever separate you from the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- You must be convinced of this, trust it, and never forget to remember. Everything else will pass away, but the love of Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Faith will become vision, hope will become possession, but the love of Jesus Christ that is stronger than death endures forever.
In the end, it is the one thing you can hang onto.
From Brennan Manning
Grace is always greater.
Posted by beth.jasper at 4:07 PM 0 comments
March 16, 2011
March 11, 2011
offbeat- in a good way.
Some of my favorite places in the world are the towns noted for their quirkiness.
i.e.
Austin, Tx.
a place where their mantra is "Keep Austin weird." ...explains the entire city. This place is booming with ingenuity and freedom. Local shops are the norm. & even the traditional chain businesses have an austin flair. Most sides of any given buildings have been attacked by a paintbrush. I love it SO much.
Canton, Tx.
First Monday Trade Days. According to various sources, the custom has everything to do with the swapping of dogs, antiques, junk, and donkeys on 30-acre grounds. Canton goes from a tiny town of 5,100 to a town of over 300,000 during the first Monday weekend, making it the largest flea market in the world. I grew up going there, I've never been anywhere as strange as Canton. Its almost as magical as Disneyland.
Mary Lawson making deals |
the normal find in a trading booth at Canton |
I want him! |
Posted by beth.jasper at 6:40 PM 0 comments
February 26, 2011
Whats cookin good lookin?
I think I'll have some "Western Spaghetti" for dinner tonight, you can find the recipe on YouTube.
Posted by beth.jasper at 11:13 AM 0 comments
February 15, 2011
i think i just realized...
When I was younger I did cartwheels in the front yard, I built forts in the woods, or I patrolled the streets on my bike with my best friends along side. I had time to experience and learn and grow. Now, it feels like I am playing life according to the rules of time management. I have to take a step back, and learn who I am all over again.
Posted by beth.jasper at 10:43 AM 0 comments
February 5, 2011
I'm going to miss this.
I like the way Oswald Chambers describes ministry, he puts it like this: "You can never give another person that which you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have."
Posted by beth.jasper at 1:52 PM 0 comments
February 3, 2011
Jiggs
One highlight of this past summer of 2010 was when I got to know Mr. Jiggs Robert Gaphney. I met him at Pine Cove, where there was always something hilarious happening at any given moment. I spent many days in that dynamic environment. One would quickly see that Jiggs is the joy of Pine Cove Ranch. He is one of the most incredible people I have ever met. People cheer and go nuts when this man enters a room. He loves people so well, and people love him because of it, he has a huge heart.... I had the privilege to hear some stories about prom from the commando boss himself.
Posted by beth.jasper at 3:38 PM 0 comments
February 1, 2011
A Prayer.
I found this paragraph in the back of Ragamuffin, which perfectly communicates this journey of mine through a simple prayer…
You are good Jesus- thank you for bringing me into a foreign land. In that place I saw you daily through the faces of extraordinary people. People that I lived with, that I lead with, and people that became my dear friends. You brought me to a place in my heart that you knew my only option would be YOU. That place is dry and its hard living there, but it is so good because, that is the place where I come before You on my knees. You are my only refuge in that desert land. You have given me all the resources in Christ that I need to live a life of ministry to the people You have placed in my life. Still, it is easy to neglect Your resources and panic when times become difficult. In those times, I am more tempted to run than to rest and to react than to reflect.
Posted by beth.jasper at 11:27 AM 0 comments
January 7, 2011
Hello again, Virginia...
Posted by beth.jasper at 11:51 AM 0 comments
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