Look at the Sky

Awesome idea.

Chain Store Reaction

Here is an easy and quick way you can help fight human trafficking by sending emails to stores/brands asking them to make their products slave free.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" (NKJV)

The Story of Zac Smith

The Story of Zac Smith from Adam Kring on Vimeo.



A Story | Tears of Hope from Adam Kring on Vimeo.

Yes, this story made me cry, but is it not hopeful? Life can be unbearably painful without the hope of Christ. I've always imagined the death of my spouse will be the most painful trial I'll have to face.

At this time in my life particularly, I am so grateful that I work for an organization that neither ignores suffering nor gives stoic answers. It is good to be in a place where my core questions and agonizing empathy are both the norm. Yet, people there have learned (or are in the process of learning) to cope with both and are teaching others. It is an encouragement.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

For the past couple of weeks, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" has been popping in and out of my head. (Major shout-out to the talent of Paul Simon!) Of course, we all want people in our lives who are willing to make--and more importantly KEEP--these lyrical promises. This song has to be one of the greatest love songs of all time: "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend." (John 15:13) Yet, only Jesus is 100% able to come through for us. 1 Timothy 2:5 says, "There is one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ." 


Last night as I was looking up the lyrics for this post, I became totally distracted watching movies of Simon and Garfunkel, to the point where I am only just getting around to posting this 24 hours later. Isn't Art Garfunkel fascinating looking in all three movies below? He raises his eyebrows to someone at 1:34 in the first video and cracks me up. Well, the second video does also manage to be simultaneously hysterical and magnificent. I wish I could have been there! I do like the original duet version the best though I didn't include it in these selections. You should spend $0.99 and buy it on iTunes if you don't know it. 


P.S. For you Wesley House people, in this last video, doesn't Art look like the love child (if that were biologically possible) of Chris Hamblin and Deane Simpson? I had to put all three videos because I couldn't decide which I like best.







And a bonus of "America":

Photo Ops

 Lynne, Drew, Carlene, Me, Callen in February (Beth says it's weird Carlene is relegated to the back but that we all look good.)

 Jeremy a year ago

Beth and Jeremy early 2011, wearing Pop's vintage clothes that I saved (and occasionally wore) for years

Who would have thought?

Today someone told me I have "kind eyes." It was one of the best compliments I have received. Also, today I obtained $20 of credit at a beauty supply store and a one-year subscription to Dwell magazine for free, courtesy of Groupon. These were much needed pick-me-ups. 


Last night I read in Isaiah 53: 


"Who believes what we've heard and seen? Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?"


and


"Still, it's what God had in mind all along, to crush him with pain. The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin so that he'd see life come from it -- life, life, and more life. And God's plan will deeply prosper from him. Out of that terrible travail of soul, he'll see that it's worth it and be glad he did it. Through what he experienced, my righteous one, my servant, will make many "righteous ones," as he himself carries the burden of their sins." 


I like that version, especially the line "Who would have thought God's saving power would look like this?" I get that.

One Dress

Here's a cool story: a pregnant mom who loves the Lord is wearing the same gray dress (albeit in creative ways) for six months in order to raise awareness about sex trafficking. If you read this guest post that she did on a crafty blog I follow, you can read the brief version.

Downcast-->Hope

Tonight I was thinking of the phrase, "Why so downcast oh my soul? Put your hope in God for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." It shows up in Psalm 42 and also Psalm 43. Honestly, I was a little irritated with this verse this evening because I can think of many reasons for my soul to be downcast. I've been following a tale of an American trying to shut down a corrupt orphanage in the Congo that abuses the few dozen child who endure there. Some children have even died from malnourishment. Stories like this make me question whether or not God really knows what He is doing. Why did He create people in the first place? (As an aside, I know I irritate most people by asking these questions, but I do think that God is big enough to handle them.) 


Further reflection and a re-reading of these Psalms revealed t hat there are certainly millions of legitimate reasons for my soul to be downcast. That is not the point. The point is that my soul should not be downcast in light of the hope that is to be found in Christ. It is the magnitude of the hope in relation to suffering that brings the shift. This shift is still a struggle for me, particularly as I see so many people devoid of hope. Yet, sometimes, I think it takes an increase in suffering for people to look for hope. Perhaps that will be the case in Japan.


P.S. When looking up Psalms 42 and 43, I also found Psalm 73. I like it when God chooses to include human frustrations in the Scripture. This Psalm is about Asaph's frustration and confusion with the prosperity of the wicked until he realized their end. Here's an excerpt:

¹²Behold, these are the wicked;
   always at ease, they^(N) increase in riches.
¹³All in vain have I^(O) kept my heart clean
   and^(P) washed my hands in innocence.
¹⁴For all the day long I have been^(Q) stricken
   and^(R) rebuked^(S) every morning.
¹⁵If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
   I would have betrayed^(T) the generation of your children.
 ¹⁶But when I thought how to understand this,
   it seemed to me^(U) a wearisome task,
¹⁷until I went into^(V) the sanctuary of God;
   then I discerned their^(W) end.

Shameless Plug

Don't know Groupon? You should. I get awesome deals from here. It's a site that offers daily discounted deals. My latest one was ten carwashes for $40 from a deluxe carwash place that does a handwash and dry while they serve you free Peet's coffee. In the past I have purchased a facial, $25 for $50 worth of clothing from Nordstrom Rack, $10 for $20 worth at Barnes and Noble, $15 for $30 worth of food at Garman's, and more. Sometimes the deals are even greater than 50% off. Even if you do not live in a metropolitan area where most of the deals occur, you could still buy one as a gift. It's no hassle, and I've had customer service graciously fix a couple minor things for me in a timely fashion. So yes, shameless plug because if you've never signed up before and do indeed purchase something, I get $10 of credit! You have to click through this link (same as link above). Plus, if you buy it before 3/21, I get $20 of credit. See why I love this site?

Things I Like

 Love the outfit minus the shoes (Anthropologie)

 Mochi delivery truck!

Paris graffiti (courtesy of Little Brown Pen)

Interpersonal Relationships