Your Love is Strong

This weekend has been incredible to me.

I meant to do homework, as always, but it didn't happen.

Something even better happened - God kept working in me, and I felt His Spirit and it was awesome. Why? Here are the reasons:

1. Jon Foreman. Many of you many know he's the lead singer of Switchfoot (a rather good band; one of my favorites). Less of you know he's also embarked on some solo endeavors. He released two EPs, titled Spring and Summer, and Fall and Winter. They are, in a word, beautiful. I'm particularly partial to the "Spring" songs right now, but I'm sure the rest will also grow on me in due time. If you've not heard Jon's solo stuff, I highly suggest it!
2. I've been feeling the call to leave my church for several months; there's no one there my age. After being surrounded by so many of my own age this summer with the same beliefs, I definitely feel that I need to be with believers my own age. I've found a group that, hopefully, will provide that.
3. My now-former church is an ELCA congregation. Because of the policies the ELCA recently passed, several other church members have decided to bow out as well. It was not easy; they are our family. But we've begun something new together. Whether we join a different church, or begin a mission church of our own, I'm excited.
4. Music will forever and always be my favorite way to praise the Lord. Listening to this new (to me) music of Jon Foreman's is incredible. Singing tonight - acapella - at a church gathering (of those of us who've left our aforementioned church) made me smile. Our summer Program Director at Mowana, Karen, loved those shalom moments. She felt they were so amazingly experienced through song; I agree with her. Tonight was the epitome of that.
5. I purchased a book entitled The Naked Gospel. I will admit - since the summer, I have not opened my Bible. This is not good. I know it. I need to make it a priority, and I'm feeling called back towards it. Hopefully The Naked Gospel will provide interesting insight to a beautiful Word I will always explore.
6. Despite everything, or perhaps because of it, my relationship with God continues to change and grow in wonderful ways. And through it, He's able to show me so many different ways He loves me. It is incredible.

On a completely unrelated, but very exciting, note: My iPod works again! I plugged it in a couple months ago to a warning that read "Your iPod is corrupted. Please reset to the factory settings." That was all well and good - but I wasn't able to; it kept crapping out.

It must've known it was getting replaced shortly (I put 'look up/order iPod' on a list of things to do). So to give it a fair chance, I plugged it in again just to see if it'd work. And what do you know? It works. It's got a full charge, and an updated song list.

My life has been hard, but my life has also been easy. There are days were I feel like I really am walking on water, and there are days were I feel lower than the lowest pond scum. But ultimately, it has been good. Because God's love is strong.

He will lift you up if only you let Him.

Peace.