Loan Oaks Farm

This weekend, I met up with several friends from college, including five of the men with whom I lived. We called this weekend "Whopp-tober Fest 2010," acknowledging the house that we lived in, which we called "The Whoppahouse" named after our flag football team, "The Whoppaheads". The picture on the title page of this blog is of myself and four of these men at our friend, Colt's, wedding to Vanessa. These reunions have become such an anchor to me in terms of reinvigorating friendships and fellowship that God has used to shape me into the man I am today. We held a corn hole tournament; enjoyed each others' company; grilled meat, ate chili, Chinese food, and BACON for breakfast; and generally loved the weekend overall. Shout out to Nicole, who broke her arm on Saturday.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a poem designed as a "call to purity," hoping that it would do as these men, and many others, have done for me time after time in my young life: call me out of myself and into radical obedience to Christ.

"Resolve: An Anthem"

'Blessed are the pure at heart
for they will see God.' (Matthew 5:8)

We reject the existence of
the insignificant instance
for there is a call on this moment.
May what we do, say, and think
confirm that the kingdom of God is near:
for we are no longer slaves,
but we are sons and heirs
of the most high king.

We come in shame, we come in sin.
We come, and you say, "Welcome, sons."
We are no longer slaves,
but we are sons and heirs.
We accept the call to act,
and in our actions, praise--
all glory to the one who
sees all our hearts and shouts,

"Faithless one, Come! Come to me
all of you, the weak and weary,
and I will give you rest!"
We are no longer slaves,
but we are sons and heirs.
We see clearly what you have done:
let us remember the grace behind
and hold fast to the grace today

as the waters try to push us
over the cliffs to the rocks below:
dangerous daggers that destroy
communion with Life and Peace.
To the cross of Jesus Christ we cling--
that by grace we have been saved
and through faith in Christ we accept
this glorious gift of grace.

We are no longer slaves,
But we are sons and heir.