Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Isaiah 30:18-21



Saturday, March 29, 2008

coffee and the great outdoors

Explore. Conquer. Let God take your breath away. One such adventure led me here. With the Carpenter siblings alongside we made our own way. Forget the trail. Trails are for squares, or people with a poor sense of direction, in which case follow along cause we don't want to have to go looking for you. Anyway.... This was one of those moments, where we'd searched for something glorious and found it. After scaling some massive rock walls and crags we made our own way to the top of misery ridge, which for anyone who knows about it...is freaking hard to climb up just on the trail and we climbed up the BACKSIDE of it. I know you're thinking, hardcore, these people are hardcore. Well it's true, and you can join us, this summer while we take up our new sport.... rock climbing.

There is a part of my heart that is reserved. I call that place "porchie" or "the porch" otherwise known as Backporch Coffee Roasters. One thing that I am confident of is that there will be coffee in heaven. And God will probably ask Dave Beach to Roast it. I used to spend my mornings here, reading my bible and conversing with my comrades and playing the occasional game of skip-bo. However, since my hours are few these days I really only get to stop by and grab my standard americano with cream (of which I don't stir, that's right I don't stir my cream in, it mixes itself naturally people! I'm not lying, after one or two sips, I'm serious. save the trees and don't stir please. I'm kidding. I'm not that much of a hippie, but I really don't stir) and I'm off to work or school or church or if I'm luck it's saturday and I get to sit for a while and stare out the window and people watch, which is a glorious hobby to pick up I might add.
And the most recent addition to my life, sunrises on Turf Butte. Are you confused as to what and where Turf Butte is? oh I will tell you. There are two ways to get to it. One is easy and one is very very difficult (the kind of difficult that makes you feel like your a 50-year old smoker with asthma). Oh but there's a catch, in order for you to know how to get there...you have to come watch the sunrise with me, during this time of year it rises between 6:22 and 6:52, early yes, but worth it. Because one of the coolest things about watching the sunrise is seeing God in it. But not the complicated spiritual metaphoric God, but in the simpleness of Himself. I was watching it this morning and just thinking about God and while there were a million cool things that mirror God and sound very profound I was honestly just taken aback with God. Just Him, no specific part of His character or virtue, just simply Him. I just enjoyed being with God and watching the sunrise. Try it, Try it, Try it. Sunrise or no. Just enjoy being with God and having no agenda, there's not many things that are better.

Much love. Very much love.

3 comments:

Bondservant said...

Nico the first thing I want to say is; you’re a pretty funny kid. I love what you said about being alone with the God of all gods. Truly there isn’t anything like it in or out of this world. God in His beauty and spender, His simplicity and Power. Nothing compares to His presence. Never lose sight of Him. I think God really likes the mornings because it shows dedication on our behalf. It’s almost like He is saying to us, If you want to really see Me get up and look for Me when the rest of the world is to sleepy. Anyway He tricky and I really like and love Him lots. Your great Nico and I’ll talk to you soon. Peace Out…

Jessie Dale said...

First of all, something about "the Carpenter siblings" had a fun ring to it. In other news, I'm so glad I got to begin these outdoor adventures with you, feeling like a 50 yr old asthma smoker was well worth it. For this summer keep in mind:

1.) Vespas
2.) Rock Climbing
3.) Camping
4.) Sunrises. Every morning faithfully.

These will be glorious days with our God!

Lorelei said...

Turf Butte. You. Me. Jesus. End of April. Period.