making sense.

Some things are just too hard to make sense of…

But His ways are higher than ours… His thoughts beyond ours.

The last couple of weeks have been a mix of all sorts of events, emotions, frustrations, tears, death, and the tender care and discipline of a loving, almighty Father.

I have been uninspired to pick up my camera, even while traveling around the nation’s capital.  Oh, I took a few shots, but a full week has passed and they still linger on my memory card untouched… waiting.

But my prayer book has not been untouched and my knees are worn out because some things are just too hard to make sense of…

because some things are too sacred for blogs or Facebook or Twitter…

because sometimes prayers sound more like groans that are too deep for words…

because some things are learned best through silence… through listening.

 

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.  (Isaiah 32:17)

think. taste. create. give. | june 18

A few posts from the past week that challenged me to Think, Taste, Create, or Give…

THINK.

she walks in beauty ~ a great post from Emily “chatting at the sky” following her trip to the Philippines with Compassion International

Intentionality of a Holy Life ~ Sally Clarkson posted this week “I meet lots of wonderful people but so very people who seem intentional about seeking Him, who have been so much in His presence that He spills over from their heart to mine.”  Oh, may that not be true of us!

Motherhood as a Mission Field ~ From the Desiring God blog!

You cannot have a heart for the gospel and a fussiness about your life at the same time.

You cannot have a heart for missions, but not for the people around you. A true love of the gospel overflows and overpowers. It will be in everything you do, however drab, however simple, however repetitive.

TASTE.

Pioneer Woman’s Iced Coffee ~ I love iced coffee, so when PW posts a recipe for it, I sit up and take notice.  I’ve already been using the cold brew method (although in much smaller proportions) with great success, but I’ve got to say it is her Vietnamese Iced Coffee Variation that’s going to make my list of things to try out this week.  Tip :: Making cold brew coffee in my French Press has worked very well for me.  I can brew it and strain it in one container which makes clean up much easier.  Then I pour the concentrate into a jar, close it, and store in the ice box.  Since I normally only use the concentrate for iced coffee or cafe au lait, this quantity lasts me several days.

Cucumber Sandwiches ~ My mother made these for me last summer, and I lost the recipe.  Out of sight, out of mind.  Until I saw them pop up this week on Comfy in the Kitchen.  I can’t wait to make these again.

CREATE.

Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier ~ I love stumbling on helpful photography blogs, and this week I found Kimberly Gauthier.  What a treasure!  Especially her very helpful (and free) ebook “Five Easy Steps to Shoot in Manual”.

Pinterest: A Beginner’s Guide ~ Are you using Pinterest?  It’s like a clutter-free memo board… love it!  I started pinning things this week… it’s a visual feast!  And quite possibly could become another time-waster if I get too careless.

GIVE.

Amazima Ministries ~ I just read about another ministry in Uganda.  These always grab my attention… almost like I have a built in radar.  Amazima means “truth”, and this ministry is hard at work feeding, educating, and encouraging orphans in Uganda.

147 Million Orphans ~ Just discovered this one too.  A couple of moms who love orphans and love speaking up for them.  I love the t-shirts they sell and the other products that help support orphans around the world and bring awareness to those around here.