Along The Trail

glimpsing grace

As we move toward Easter (already?!), my thoughts have been landing on the grace threading my life story. God's quiet, encompassing, beautiful grace. Though I will never know the scope of people this blog reaches, I do know each of us has a very different story unfolding. Weaved within each story, recognized or not, is that thread of grace. 

Have you paused to recognize the grace within your story lately? Oh, do take the time for it! Such deep peace is found as we recognize the "with us" God is actually very with us! But don't stop there! Share the grace found with someone. No story is meant to be hidden away. No story is too lame or plain. Are you kidding? God is the author! God can use your story--not matter how simple or complex--to comfort, encourage, or motivate someone else. I know you want to be a part of that!

Would you be willing to share bits of your grace story with me and the others who gather in this space? How you've experienced God personally; how He rescued you; how you've encountered Him; how He changed you; what He means to you...any of these glimpses into your story would be most encouraging! Just a short glimpse, no matter your age, gender or situation.

If you're willing (and I hope you are!), email your story to c(dot)hopecaptured(at)gmail(dot)com.

The world needs the story God is writing in you!

Trail Mix // Episode 13

{photo by Lauren Cardwell Photography}
Whether serving as Whisper Mountain summer staff or adventuring into marital bliss, Brian and Jaclyn have left their imprints of generosity, love, passion, fun and creativity on Whisper Mountain! (Nevermind their general awesomeness!) We get to peek into their newlyweddedness (it's a word today!) as they link up to their walks with Christ in our trail mix episode! Check it out!

  

{if unable to view the above video, click here}

Let's put on our love lenses and stand on the side of good!

sweet and tangy // a ballad

Kinsley has just finished up a torture poetry segment in school. (She thinks I'm crazy for enjoying it!) Painful for her. So painful. Part of her pain may have come from having to write a whole bunch of different kinds of poetry. Her wit produced fun and clever poetry of all kinds, but my favorite is shared with you here (with her permission!)...in honor of the last days of the love month!

Kinsley’s Ballad

Oh how I love your sweet and tangy ways

To see you brightens up my day.

What do I do with this feeling inside?

My feelings for you I cannot hide.

 

The miles between us make me sad.

I’m crazy for you, crazy mad.

I want to be with you all day long,

But until then I’ll sing this song.

 

I sit in class and dream of you.

Getting together is in my view.

I close my books and get in the car.

I drive to you, seems so far.

 

I make my way through the crowd.

The voices around me are ever so loud.

As I get close to you, my stomach gets kickin’.

Oh how I love you, my sweet orange chicken!

Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.  ~Carl Sandburg

How about you...lover or hater of poetry?

we weren't planning to

We weren't planning to. A quick request became a linger. The linger became a conversation. The conversation became fun.

He tapped into his particularity. I tapped into my joy and refreshment. We were connected. 

Connected with dirt under our nails, which is what must be if we are to reap a harvest worth planting for.

We stepped outside our normal, turned our backs to routine demands, and connected. We weren't planning to, but we did.

We did because connecting is the point.

For us and those who follow in our paths.