The human body is such an intricate, perfectly designed system. Everytime I learn something new about the human body (which is daily, considering my job), I'm in awed by the detail and creativity in God's creation.

My body has been falling apart lately. Ever since I had what I like to call "my graceful moment," I've been plagued by all sorts of weird aches and pains. It's kinda cool how the body uses pain to signal that something is not right in that part of the body. The pain then forces me to change the way I move so as to not further injure that area. I went to see a chiropractor yesterday for my back pain which has only been getting worse. Basically, during "my graceful moment," I managed to sprain my right ankle, stretch my MCL in my left knee, and pull the origin and insertions of my quad in my left leg. Because I couldn't fully walk on my right leg, I somehow shifted my gait so I was predominantly walking with my weight on the left. Since my left leg was already injured, i was putting undue pressure on the muscles in my left hip. The muscles in/around my left hip have become inflamed, compressing on my nerves in that area. This has caused the severe lower back pain and pain that shoots down my leg.

So, the chiropractor adjusted my back and gave me some tips as to how to alleviate the pain and not aggrevate those muscles more. He also said that I should get a massage. Hey, I'm not gonna argue with that! He's a smart guy.

It's so fascinating to me that the body is just a whole bunch of feedback mechanisms. Lack of mobility in some areas is compensated, sometimes overcompensated, by added mobility in other regions. I'm so glad that God made us like this, as a dynamic system that can respond to stresses placed on the body. Can you imagine if our bodies fully shut down when something or other isn't working properly? Creation really does speak to the truth of Christ.

The human body is cool, for lack of a better word.

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth.

Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Psalm 73

can't....read....posts...on....sfc bbs... or...jbb... must...wait...to...watch...survivor...tape....

must...resist....ugh.

Random snippets and thoughts from my time with Allen, Anne, Bev, Elaine, George, Janet, Jason, and Paul. This weekend was truly something special.

Post-college is a strange time. Distance stretches friendships in curious, sometimes uncomfortable ways.

The playing was surprisingly Wow!...just to be with folks you like and who like you too.

A reunion of the "good ol' friends" can often become a filling of an empty present with the best happinesses of a selectively-remembered past. What made this weekend wonderful was the renewal of forging bonds cut off by separation. To re-connect is to return to a good thing that was cut too short.

The past few months have been fairly rough. As a result, I've been withdrawing from those who care about me and from those whom I care about. I've been lonely to say the least. God has brought refreshing in the perfect way to meet the needs of my heart. This refreshing came in the form of old, wonderful friends. I'm grateful for friends who let me be whacky ol' neurotic me and who are real with me. I'm grateful for friends who share similar passions, dreams, goals, and desires.

Fireworks that fall like glittering dust and shooting stars took us captive. We became little kids for a moment. We marveled at the beauty. We reveled in being together.

It's hard to explain, but it's like my heart feels at home with these friends. They are part of "home" to me.

I was worried that I would be sad when I got back. I was afraid I would be in withdrawal. Bev said it best, "I'm not in withdrawal like I thought I would be. Y'know why? Because my soul was truly fed and refreshed. It wasn't a co-dependent, addictive weekend that leaves you high and dry."

God did some deep refreshing work in my heart this past weekend. I feel like understand Luke 2:19 more: but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. My desire is that I would not hoard this blessing. I desire to give it back to God in worship, that He would continue to soften my heart to loving people deeply again.

I don't think guys will understand this. You might, but..

Ever have one of those days where you just want to cry? All day, I've just wanted to cry. Not over anything in particular. I'm not super-sad or anything. I just want to cry. Apparently, this is why William Shakespeare wrote tragedies. He knew that people needed a good cry every now and then. It's been found that crying is not only emotionally cathartic, but it's also physically cathartic. The act of crying supposedly removes toxins, ions, and other stress-inducing something or others from your body.

I want to curl up and cry. I haven't cried in a long time. In fact, I don't think I've actually FELT anything in a long time. When did I become complacent and dispassionate? I think that's why I haven't written anything terribly revealing in a long time. Lately, it's all been little vignettes or very heady writings. It's hard to find things to write about when I'm not really processing anything that's been going on.

Hmm..time to wrestle with God...

bring it.