Friday, February 24, 2006

A Sweet Fragrance: Kerri Lane

The last few days have been hard. I am mouning the loss of an incredible friend, servant, sister, and mentor. Kerri probably didn't realize she was a mentor to me but she certainly was! I cannot express what she meant to me in mere words. Kerri was a single mother raising two precious, Christ-honoring little girls, ages 6 and 9. Less than a year ago, she noticed a growth on her abdomen, but thought nothing of it. This growth turned out to be malignant melanoma. The roots of her soul were so deep before her diagnosis but they grew even more rich and beautiful as she made the journey through cancer. Kerri Lane was a woman totally anointed in the oil of joy and fully devoted to the call of Christ Jesus. There were only two places she longed to abide with all of her being, either at home with Carlee and Jolee or in the throneroom of Heaven worshipping her God and King. Everything she did and said was bathed in the fragrance of the Most High. In my life, Kerri embodied Jesus in a way that permanantly marked my own journey of faith. As I remember her at this moment, I am reminded of a powerful phrase from a Christian song. " We live and we love." That is the sum of Kerri's life. She fulfilled the two greatest commands that the Father has called each of his beloved children to be defined by. This precious woman was so very intentional in her love and in her relationship with her God. She understood what it truly meant to know and experience the love of Christ as her Bridegroom and the Lover of her Soul. I want to live with that devotion and that insaitable hunger and thirst that only He can quench and bring forth. She has left quite a legacy in my life and in the life and body of Highland Church of Christ. She will be an everlasting example of a living, vital, humble, and most beautiful faith and trust in the way of Christ. Now, Kerri joins the multitudes of angels as she is inducted into Heaven's Faithful Servants Hall of Fame. I love you so much, Kerri. Know that Carlee and Jolee are loved and will carry your legacy to many generations. Lord, you created such a masterpeice in Kerri Lane. Thank you for bringing her into my life and allowing me to be formed and shaped more fully into the image of Jesus as a result of knowing her. Kerri, the harvest of souls that you have touched and left behind is plentiful. The fruit of your life is most beautiful beloved. Jesus, take good care of her!

Monday, February 20, 2006

Salem, OR

Funny title, I know but the plans God has for this place really get me excited! I will be traveling to Salem as a part of a Spring Break Campaign at ACU. God is really opening some incredible opportunities to me as I am learning to take a back seat and let him work in my life. I have been praying about how I could get back to Oregon and God knew that this opportunity was in my immediate future! He is the best. Last summer my family and I went to Eugene as a part of the Into All The World Campaign at Highland. We worked with the Christ Fellowship Church and through that week I formed some incredible relationships. Not only did God answer this specific prayer, he allowed the group of my closest and best friends to be on the team with me! There are some awesome servants of Jesus in this group and I can't wait to see how my life will be changed as a result of this campaign over Spring Break. Emily, JDubb, JSwim, Kevin, Blake, Katrina, and Mary, I love you guys and I know God will be glorified through our time together in Salem. Thank you for showing and teaching me the image of Jesus through the gifts of your friendship and your lives.

"I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness, but will have the light that gives life." John 8:12

Lord, let your anointing fall! Have your way in all of us, Lord. We love you more than all other things in this world.

Salem, OR

Funny title, I know but the plans God has for this place really get me excited! I will be traveling to Salem as a part of a Spring Break Campaign at ACU. God is really opening some incredible opportunities to me as I am learning to take a back seat and let him work in my life. I have been praying about how I could get back to Oregon and God knew that this opportunity was in my immediate future! He is the best. Last summer my family and I went to Eugene as a part of the Into All The World Campaign at Highland. We worked with the Christ Fellowship Church and through that week I formed some incredible relationships. Not only did God answer this specific prayer, he allowed the group of my closest and best friends to be on the team with me! There are some awesome servants of Jesus in this group and I can't wait to see how my life will be changed as a result of this campaign over Spring Break. Emily, JDubb, JSwim, Kevin, Blake, Katrina, and Mary, I love you guys and I know God will be glorified through our time together in Salem. Thank you for showing and teaching me the image of Jesus through the gifts of your friendship and your lives.

"I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness, but will have the light that gives life." John 8:12

Lord, let your anointing fall! Have your way in all of us, Lord. We love you more than all other things in this world.

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Atticus Finch

This post was inspired by a quote written in a blog by my friend Beverly. Atticus Finch is one of my all-time favorite characters in all of literature. There is so much we can learn from this wise, tender, gentle family man. One thing I love about Atticus Finch is his desire to be a part of a better world. This is such a rich and complex character with so many different facets to draw from. To Kill a Mockingbird is in the list of the ten best books I have ever read. Inadvertently, this book changed how I see the world. Harper Lee paints such a lovely, invigorating tale with Atticus Finch being one of the central illustrations. The quote on Beverly's blog today:

"There's a lot of ugly things in this world, son. I wish I could keep 'em all away from you. That's not possible." -- Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird

I wish the world held more Atticus Finch's. Be blessed today as you think about the influence of this incredible literary character. He is one of the best.