the Word-love.

The Word is life! Not like "basketball is life." or "music is life" --as in a boast of it's hipness, but rather in a necessary vitality. Literally life giving. It is the word of God availed to me for life and godliness. It's essential.

I have been reading recently about the love of God and the joy we find under its flow. And it's been good! I'll it speak for itself...

"I will sing of the steadfast love and justice; I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh, when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house. I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless." Psalm 101:1-3

"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with gladness! He will quiet you by HIS lovel He will exult over you with loud singing." Zepheniah 3:17

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love to Christ that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21


Enough said, right? This is how we know love, that Jesus gave up his life for us. (1John 3:16) Therefore, be imitators of God, as his beloved children. And, WALK IN LOVE, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5)

Love. We are loved deeply and charged to love others just the same.

awesome!

awesome of the week- desire to inspire.

Desire to Inspire. i love this blog. When i bookmarked it, i did so to a specific entry. "In Far off Zanzibar..."

And thankfully so. Every time i check this blog i am taken back to this initial entry and reminded of this awesome place and the beauty of this resort. Almost too awesome to believe. However, the more i research and really stumble upon awesome travel secrets the more awesomeness i find! There are some truly amazing places in this world... let me share a few of my favorites. Thus far...

Let's go to Africa for a moment... to the Kilindi Zanzibar. Awesome.

Really? Does this actually exist. Don't worry- i'll find out!

Umm. OK. If you insist.

Let's move a little north to the romance of a Tuscan B&B, Follonico.

It's just so beautiful

And the view. Seriously?

How about at the foot of Mt.Kilmanjaro. In a tent- with a veranda looking out at the African vista? The African Embassy.

I could sleep here.

Yea. I think so.

Ok. Enough of that. This world is big... and off to sleep i go. In my twin captains bed.

awesome!

Mountain Child.

You will soon learn that my heart beats strong for a few awesome things. First and foremost, for Jesus. Secondly, for the things he cares about. And third for things that make this world and this life more beautiful.

I have found a lot of that in MountainChild. I have recently gotten involved with and its become one that i stand behind and one that i am passionate about!

It is truly an awesome organization doing some awesome work in the Himalayas. Led by folks who are more passionate about helping people than advancing the name of an organization. I dig that. More, obviously to come on that.

However, i wrote up a short piece tonight, about MountainChild for a small contest. And while it boasts of the awesomeness going into the Himalayas (enough in itself to win the darn thing)-- it also boasts of awesomely dry humor. Fruit, possibly, a long overdue writers block. Maybe it's because i wrote it and it's late. But dang, i think it's funny!

So, enjoy!

A Donkey.

The selling price of a donkey was foreign to me. I never really had a reason to inquire, why would I? Southern California doesn’t exactly entertain a booming market of farm animals, and I’ve never once considered one for a childhood pet. Actually any animal for that matter. (But that's besides the point.) Donkey’s were, and still kind of are, beyond my periphery of interest-- I think understandably so.

That is until I traveled to Nepal. Trek with me for a moment.

Donkeys are hands in Nepal. In a place as rugged and remote as parts of the Himalayas, the only way in -- to the heart of the truest need-- is on foot. Many, many days on foot. Which is perfectly fine for simple trekking. Strap on a pack, lace up your kicks, enjoy some dal bhat, and hit the trail. (It’s a little harder than that.) But, how do you deliver bulk medical supplies? Enough to stock a medical post--efficiently? How do you deliver a new school’s worth of school supplies? Or the materials needed to build one? What about the supplies needed to build a clean water project? Pipes? Concrete? Tools?

It’s a crazy and rather impossible task on the backs, or in the hands, of people. Obviously so. I can hardly unload a bag of concrete from a truck. Trekking with it days on my back is hardly in the question. Oh, but load it on the back of a strapping, dark haired ass- reared for the mountainous trail- and the task of delivering tangible hope is feasible. And that, my friend, is awesome.

That’s what Mountain Child is about. We exist to carry hope to the children in the Himalayas. Simple. Clean water. Medical aid. Education. We’re passionate about it and will do whatever it takes. However, with limited drivable road access and human limitations, delivering the supplies needed is a rather weighty task.

So you ask me, what would you do if money weren’t an issue. Who would you help? Where would you go? Where would you take the gospel? Well, I’d buy a donkey and all the friends, toys, food, and iPods needed to keep him happy and kicking. I’d load that donkey (and a few of his burly fellows) with all that was needed to carry the hope of a sustainable, life giving future to a village in the Himalayas. Hope in education-- possibly for the first time ever. Hope in medical aid and health support through a functional medical post. And hope in clean water-- an easy cure for the leading cause of childhood deaths in the Himalayas.

That load of hope, on the back of those donkeys would carry with it a free picture of Jesus. A God who cares graciously for his chosen and provides a way-- doing so abundantly! The beautiful Gospel. I want to take the Gospel to the Himalayas. And if God can use an ass like me, he can use a few more!

awesome of the week- outdoor dining.

I LOVE eating outside. There really isn't anything else to add to that-- if given the option, and beautiful weather- outside please! Now, the only thing that could add to the joy would be some live music, an awesome view and a lovely friend.

An article came across Yahoo! today listing America's Most Romantic Restaurants.

My type of reading friends!

It listed some of the most amazing restaurants! Most of them offering an outdoor dining experience in some of the most beautiful places in America-- probably offering options that would empty ones bank account. So, while i'd undoubtedly fancy a dinner there i'm all about finding something similar local- just a little cheaper.

Here's what i found. EnJOY!

1. Rutabegorz- i'm bias as it's my favorite restaurant. However, i can confidently say you will not be disappointed. (Casual. Lunch. Old town eclectic. $)

2. Sundried Tomato Cafe - rockin' the 2011 OC Restaurant Week. Be sure to take advantage of their awesome discount. (Casual. Lunch/Dinner. Date. Beach people watching. $$)

3. 419 Veronese Cafe an organic conversation pieces in itself. This is the place for those, "Hey, lets get together!" type of outings. (Casual. Date. Art. $)

4. The Grill at Antler's Inn. California and Cajun? Umm.... ok. Up in a mountain lodge? This is a must. (Casual. Romantic. Seafood. $$-$$$)

For more awesome restaurants and a website to help you locate all the awesomeness. Check out UrbanSpoon.

awesome of the week- S'Mores.

Gotta Have S'More.com

Who doesn't like s'mores? A roasted mallow. Gooey Chocolate. (Peanut butter if your real fancy) Sandwiched between two crisp graham crackers. Even if you hate the woodsy snack, you love the cheeseball jokes associated with the delicacy. I came across this company this week and immediately thought- Country Wedding. How perfect, eh? However, consider these S'muffins awesome not only for a wedding! A gift, a surprise, a special dessert... really anything for anyone. Unless they are allergic to mallows, that is. Or heaven forbid chocolate.

All that to say- these guys are awesome. Someone's got to help make them famous!

And for those true s'more lovers in your life. I'm about to make Christmas a cheep cinch. Hold on to your coat hanger...

A Microwave S'more Maker- Amazon.

You can thank me later!

awesome of the week.

What is [ awesome of the week. ] ?
Simple. It's something awesome. Of the week. Every week. Fear not though... there will be an easily accessible archive for those of you joining the party late. Frequent often. Or you'll miss the awesome.