Join My Support Team!

Serving in Brazil

A follower of Christ trying to live life on mission.

JOIN MY SUPPORT TEAM!

Would you consider supporting me through prayer and financial support?

How you can pray for me:

• Knowing God more deeply
• Transitioning well as I move to Rio
• Using my gifts to bless others
• Transformation of Rio and my heart

How you can give financially:

1.   ONLINE.

• Go to karischurch.org
• Click the INVEST tab.
• Click GIVE.
• Fill in your information, find my name (Eric Papp - Missionary to Brazil), and enter the amount you want to give. Online donations are tax-deductible, fast, and easy. If you would like to give systematically (weekly/monthly) please email me and I can help get that set up.

2.   MAIL A CHECK.

To make a tax-deductible donation, make checks payable to “Karis Church” with “Papp – Brazil” in the memo. Mail to P.O. Box 572, Columbia, MO, 65205.

I am asking for gifts of $50, $100 and $500 to complete this mission.

Living in this part of the world is expensive. I need to raise $17,000 to be able to move this Fall. While this is an overwhelming task, I trust that God will provide all that I need to make this move possible.

I am blessed by having family and friends who are so supportive of all that I do. Without you, my opportunities to spread the love of Christ would be limited. Your prayers, encouragement, and financial support are the main reason I can step forward in faith with opportunities like this.

In many ways, this is the most challenging endeavor I have taken on. I thank you for all the support, encouragement and prayers you have offered me. I look forward to having you on my support team!

• suppport
• brazil
• rio de janeiro
• Eric Papp
• Serving in Brazil

Frailty

Frailty

by George Herbert

LORD, in my silence how do I despise
What upon trust
Is styled, honour, riches, or fair eyes;But is—fair dust!
I surname them gilded clay,
Dear earth, fine grass or hay;
In all, I think my foot doth ever tread
Upon their head.

But when I view abroad both regiments,

The world's, and Thine;
Thine clad with simpleness, and sad events;The other fine,
Full of glory and gay weeds,
Brave language, braver deeds:
That which was dust before, doth quickly rise,
And prick mine eyes.

O brook not this, lest if what even now
My foot doth tread,

Affront those joys, wherewith Thou didst endow,
And long since wed

My poor soul, e'en sick of love;
It may a Babel prove,
Commodious to conquer heaven and Thee
Planted in me.

The Lord Will Be Gracious

Isaiah 30 has been a chapter that I found myself coming back to again and again this week. Each time I was gripped by a different verse and truth within this chapter. Each time I approached this text I was doing so with a different lens, some colored with hues of baggage, praise, longing and expectation. After a long night at the hospital, I had a chance at the end of my shift to read for a bit. For whatever reason Isaiah 30 caught my eye. As I read I came to verse 21 that spoke of direction. And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. That was enough for me to think about. I even tweeted it. And timely it was. That same night, I was at a friend's party, we were celebrating freedom and his exoneration after spending 16 years in prison on a wrongful accusation. A friend stood up after being asked to share a brief word, an effort to bring the night's focus higher, onto the Lord. He shared from Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. The Word spoke tenderly to my heart, as a father speaks to his son or daughter, my Father spoke to me. It took a few minutes to realize that I had read from the same chapter earlier that morning. The intimacy and precision that God employed to speak tenderly to my heart was powerful. I'm a cryer and a few tears of joy did find their way down my face. That moment was pivotal, for it had been a difficult night, feeling slightly out of place and distracted by thoughts, my attention was refocused on my Father and in that moment, everything was right.

Tonight, the Lenten season begins. Again, I read Isaiah 30, and again I read with new eyes. Lent is a time to be with Jesus in a special way. It is a time of prayer and fasting and...following. But who or what I follow is a decision made in and in-between each moment of life. I want to follow Jesus; to Jerusalem, to Golgotha, and finally to victory over death...but my heart is still so divided.

I truly want to follow you, Jesus, but I also want to follow my own desires and listen to the voices that speak of success, pleasure, and acceptance. But you are calling me to be attentive to your voice, which calls me to choose the narrow road to life. Your voice speaks from behind me saying, "This is the way, walk in it," when I turn to the right or when I turn to the left. But I come from a rebellious people, and I know how deeply I resist choosing you. I am Israel that verses 9-11 speak of. For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”

Even so, the LORD is gracious! It is in light of this that I again read verse 18. Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Please LORD, be with me in every moment and decision to follow you. In verse 20 you give this promise. And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 

And the response that comes from choosing Jesus is powerfully seen in verse 22. Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”

"Be gone!" God's mercy is greater than our sins! Lent is a time to break down idols and to direct our attention to our loving LORD. This new life is found through Jesus Christ alone. Return and rest in the LORD.

happiness

I have been feeling unhappy.

I miss the sun. Strange, right? I normally avoid the sun as much as possible, because we don't normally get along too well. Working overnights has changed that. I crave sunlight and literally can't seem to get enough.

I miss a girl who made me very happy. Sometimes that hits harder than others, but it's been fairly regular. I miss feeling 10 feet off the ground and feeling secure. 

I miss people. I'm tired of being asleep when the sun and my friends are awake. I'm tired of being awake when the sun and my friends are asleep. For this season, it's necessary, but I pray for not much longer. 

I miss my family. Having them within 3 hours and not being able to see them is every bit of frustrating. Like ships in the night, we seem to miss each others' calls and texts and faces. 

I miss good perspective. Lord, help.

I am told that I am made in your image, God.

Sometimes I am not so sure. 

I am petty and selfish and want what I want, now.

But if what they say is true, I am created for you.

I am made to worship and live for your glory, not my own.

Made to serve you and others, not myself.

I am finding that when I try to put my happiness ahead of obedience to you,

I violate my own nature and become, ultimately, miserable. 

Matthew 16:25 helps me understand a seeming paradox.

"Whoever wants to save his life will lose it,

but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Jesus, if I seek my own happiness more than I seek you, I will have neither;

if I seek to serve you more than serve happiness, I will have both.

Please pull this life-choking, self-centered weed at the roots.

Make room in my heart for more of you.

I am beginning to feel happy.

Not Your Typical 24 Episode

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 4:00 A.M. AND 5:00 A.M.

I turned the corner and entered a patient's room. Stunned, my eyes laid witness to an elderly man, unbeknownst to his sleeping roommate, walking around without a single stitch of clothing. This was not the first time, nor do I believe it will be the last, for this particular crossroad. I have unknowingly developed a formula for how I respond to such interactions. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's get some clothes on you, sir (or ma'am)" seems to be my typical response. Disbelief --> some repeated interjection --> and a rush to politely clothe. 

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 9:00 A.M.

While drinking a delicious Aztec hot chocolate, I write my thoughts about my first oncology practicum shift of my last semester in nursing school. I am almost done with school...really. Weird. Exciting. Unknown.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 6:00 P.M.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 7:00 P.M. AND 9:00 P.M.

Homework.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 9:00 P.M. AND 10:00 P.M.

I receive a phone call from a friend with very sobering news. The dad of a very young friend is moving out. I don't know whether to be happy or sad...so I am both. The effects of this are unknown and weighty. I pray, "God, will you surround with your fatherly love, those children whose lives have been scarred, who have wounds that need healing, that they may learn that even if all others fail them, you really can be trusted? Transform pain into forgiveness, Jesus. You alone can bring healing and restoration. You alone are our hope."

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 1:00 A.M. AND 3:00 A.M.

As I read a book about marriage, instead of getting excited about the future, my spirit rejoices in the beauty of the gospel. Amen! I am excited for the future, but more so because I know that God has designed marriage to bring us closer to himself. This mystery is profound and I am thankful for eyes now that are allowed to glimpse into the riches and grace to be had, if God so wills.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 4:00 A.M. AND 5:00 A.M.

I type away at a keyboard and contemplate going to sleep. Yep, it's going to happen. Well, goodnight/good-morning.

I AM WHO I AM.

The book of Genesis begins by showing us how God formed the world for himself. Similarly, the book of Exodus begins by showing us how God formed Israel for himself. And he did this for a great reason. "...for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise." Isaiah 43:20, 21.
The forming of Israel into a people was a new creation. That they might declare my praise. 


Today I want to declare the praise of God. Lord, please make it so.

Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
(Exodus 3:10-22 ESV)

This passage falls just after God, in a burning bush, reveals himself to Moses. Here, we see God revealing his promises and purposes to Moses; purposes that Moses does not initially understand, or agree with, for that matter. Moses questions his own ability or worthiness, and in turn, poses a question to God. But God does not answer Moses' question in the way he asks, but instead says, "I will be with you" indicating that his presence with Moses is essential to what God is calling him to. God found this answer to be sufficient for Moses...and often for us. God's presence gives honor to the worthless, wisdom and strength for the weak and foolish, makes the greatest difficulties dwindle to nothing, and is enough to answer all objections.


Moses inquires of God's name. God readily answers with what he would now be known by.  I AM WHO I AM. Let it suffice, that he is who he is, who he ever was and ever will be. He is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word and nature, and does not lie. God wants Israel to know that this is the God who has sent Moses to them...I AM has sent me to you.


My heart begins to beat faster and tears form in the corners of my eyes. My vocal cords tighten up. And a smile emerges on my face. I AM.


I AM the bread of life...                         John 6:35, 48, 51
I AM the light of the world...                 John 8:12, 9:5
I AM the door of the sheep...                John 10:7, 9
I AM the good shepherd...                    John 10:11, 14
I AM the ressurection and the life...      John 11:25
I AM the way, the truth and the life...    John 14:6
I AM the true vine...                              John 15:1


Jesus said "For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me." John 5:46


The same hand that now fetched a shepherd out of a desert, to be the planter of a Jewish church, afterwards fetched fisherman from their ships, to be the planters of the Christian church, that the excellency of the power might be of God. Praise be to God!


Thank you, Lord, for your Word and for Jesus, THE Word! May I declare your praise the rest of my days!

Jesus Will Build His Church.

While trapped in isolation gear consisting of a yellow plastic gown and blue gloves, I began to read and to sweat. Drinking coffee probably didn't help my temperature regulation, but I can say with certainty that I needed it to stay awake. Let's just assume I stayed awake for the duration of my shift. I did have several hours to read, and read I did. Some from Matthew, Isaiah, Acts, Genesis, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Timothy, Philippians, Romans, Revelation...

Jesus will build his church. This is clear. It has been God's aim from before the foundations of the Earth were set. In a stifling room, confined to a muggy apron, I read with keen eyes and an impassioned heart. Walls within my heart have come down that I didn't know I'd built. Praise God! Life is flowing through my veins and my heart is beating with excitement, my mind races with thoughts much to big to think. God drew near tonight. My heart rejoiced at truths in his Word that speak love loudly. These truths also speak love clearly and simply. Truth leaped from the pages and a renewed vision and purpose welled inside my heart and mind.

Jesus will build his church. My heart stirred in such a way tonight that words merely hint at the joy I am feeling. Caught up in excitement I told myself, "Self, get a tattoo tomorrow morning, lest you forget again what God has placed on your heart." Now, I'm still thinking over the tattoo idea, but the message God placed upon my heart, through his word, is clear and reorienting.

Go, Eric, disciple the nations. These are my people, whom I love. Teach all that I have taught you. Wield the sword of the Spirit mightily, for darkness is dying. My Son will build his church. He will not be stopped. And behold, he is with you ALWAYS, to the end of the age. Pray earnestly that more laborers be sent out into my harvest. Go, my son, go and disciple the nations. Live with eternity in focus, live with this purpose and passion. Eric, these are the things I am passionate about and already at work doing. Join me in this fight of faith. Love me and love my people by going and discipling. Make waves for my Kingdom.

Lord, I echo your saints, if you'll teach me your Word I'll proclaim it for the rest of my days.
This was a significant, sweaty, joyful night!

"A Thanksgiving" for a thankful and blustery Sunday

I Thank Thee, boundless Giver,
That the thoughts Thou givest flow
In sounds that like a river
All through the darkness go.
And though few should swell the pleasure,
By sharing this my wine,
My heart will clasp its treasure,
This secret gift of Thine.

My heart the joy inherits,
And will oft be sung to rest;
And some wandering hoping spirits
May listen and be blest.
For the sound may break the hours
In a dark and gloomy mood,
As the wind breaks up the bowers
Of the brooding sunless wood.

For every sound of gladness
Is a prophet-wind that tells
Of a summer without sadness,
And a love without farewells;
And a heart that hath no ailing,
And an eye that is not dim,
And a faith that without failing
Shall be complete in Him.

And when my heart is mourning,
The songs it lately gave,
Back to their fount returning,
Make sweet the bitter wave;
And forth a new stream floweth,
In sunshine winding fair;
And through the dark wood goeth
Glad laughter on the air.

For the heart of man that waketh,
Yet hath not ceased to dream,
Is the only fount that maketh
The sweet and bitter stream.
But the sweet will still be flowing
When the bitter stream is dry,
And glad music only going
On the breezes of the sky.

I thank Thee, boundless Giver,
That the thoughts Thou givest flow
In sounds that like a river
All through the darkness go.
And though few should swell the pleasure
By sharing this my wine,
My heart will clasp its treasure,
This secret gift of Thine.

--George MacDonald

Make the Tree Good

Transform me, Jesus. Transform the way I feel and think and love; renew my mind with your Word. Stir me to take steps in life that make known your true value. Make it so, Lord, I plead. Sanctify and free me by your truth, that I may discern what is good, acceptable and perfect. I give myself to this. May the fruit be good.

Words I Long to Hear

"You are still a sinner. But I see in your life the distinguishing fruit of my Son's mercy. Your mercy on others is the evidence of his mercy in you. And for his sake I now show you mercy again. Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Joplin, Missouri. May, 2011.

mysterychurch.com

Would you consider taking a moment to pray now for the families devastated by the tornado in Joplin, MO. Lift them before the throne.

When all seems lost
When we're thrown and we're tossed
We remember the cost
We rest in Him
Shadow of the cross - dcb

I'm a sucker for allegory. Could quite possibly be my favorite to read. Drawing from the substance of familiar life, one can bring an idea to bear in a special way, unfolding meaning and truths that are cloaked in beautiful imagery. Jesus mastered this literary device...not surprising, being the Word made flesh, but dang he is GOOD!

While in Brazil, where distractions were limited, time passed leisurely, and my heart was focused, I was able to savor this Word that truly is sweeter than honey to the taste. While preparing to lead the morning's devotional, my eyes landed on John 15."That's it! We’ll talk about botany." I love this passage. It's all good, but man, I love the depth and richness of these verses.

1-11: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Jesus calls himself the true vine, which at first glance seems normal enough, but upon further pondering I begin to see humility flow from his words. Jesus, God incarnate, is pleased to speak of himself as a part of his own creation, a lowly vine. What a humble comparison.
God is the gardener, Jesus is the vine. What about me? Well, it’s not...
Graced with reality’s perspective, smallness ensues. Life is NOT about me, or us for the matter, but about Him. These verses help me remember my position before God: He is above all, Creator, Master, Lord and Savior. AND, though this life’s not about me, the Father chose to draw me, who was once far, very near to himself. “Every branch in me...” O the sweetness those words possess. Jesus calls us into himself and transports us into a relationship of favor with our heavenly Father. Think about this: as branches, we are made up of the very DNA of the vine we’re a part of. The very DNA of Jesus!

“If . . . my words abide in you." Abide, what does that really mean anyway?

I believe this means that the words of Jesus take root in us and bear fruit. I'm no linguistics wizard, but when I think of the word abide, a similar word abode also comes to mind. Dwelling. His words find a home in us, and they fit cozily; they really belong. Recently I’ve been preparing to move across town and have been doing some Spring cleaning. In much the same way, we’ve go to do some rearranging and getting rid of things so that the word has room and “feels at home.” The words of Jesus don't abide without effect. This is a distinction that I missed for years. I just need to read my bible more, that's my problem. No, I need to abide. Yes, to read my Bible, but in such a way as to have the words of Jesus take root and bear the fruits of faith and holiness in my life.

Prune away, great God, for your own glory and my good. Please bring forth much fruit and joy. The word of Christ brings life as it works grace, and works out corruption. Thank you for life-giving allegory.

Stretching Money

I hope this finds you living in the hope and peace of Christ's glorious resurrection!

I just received my tax return and have decided to use it to help others. I am going to Haiti in June and the tax return covers the remaining balance owed, but then is almost gone. The question is:

Are you feeling generous after Easter? Should you be? :) I would love to see the money go farther and help more people.

Call me or message me if you are interested in donating towards Haiti so that more of the tax return can go to help others. Thank you for considering this! 

Eric Papp 417-425-6847

| Brasil - Day 1 |

After an eventful first day of flights, bumpy and winding van rides, and temperature adjustment, we were welcomed to our pousada by the generous staff. Quick snack of fresh guarana juice, nap, lunch, then off to Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain). Pictures do not do any justice to the beauty one drinks in from atop the summit. The glass-paneled cable cars proved nerve-wracking for some, but offered great 360 views of the surrounding city. Knowing that I was peering down at millions of lives being lived out at that very moment was humbling. The church gathering was beautiful; worshiping Jesus with other believers in Portugese continues to expand my view and understanding of how immense He is. Tomorrow begins our vacation Bible school in a favela in Niteroi. Please pray for the little ones and for grace to recognize children as capable of authentic faith. From Brasil, for the glory of God...boa noite.

Admiration

"The more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God's grace appears to you." -Keller

I am being changed. I can see good fruit that comes only from God. My eyes are more open to my need for Jesus; for God to look upon his righteousness and not my own. Oh what a good God we have. Reading Revelation 5 this morning broke me because I forget that Jesus is the only one worthy enough to open the scroll, and the only one worthy of the affections of my heart. It also brought me great joy to look upon the grace of God, in this exchange, with new eyes of appreciation and awe. He truly does satisfy to the very core if I should only open my eyes. Praise be to the one seated on the throne and to The Lamb who was slain.

awaiting (psalm 22)

My God, where are you in this grief?

I taste unrest, with no relief.

For I am mocked, despised by all,

My faith derided, scorn befalls.

My bones are staring from my chest,

My heart, it melts within my breast.

O you my help and my success,

Have turned your ear in my distress.

We eat and we are satisfied,

Betrothed to you, we are your bride.

Your blood is spilled to make us new,

The curse of sin you did undo.

Praise be to God the righteous one,

We shall proclaim that it is done!

city on a hill

Let me love both friend and foe

Let me shine though fallen

Give me compassion, I need to understand

what they're going through

Let me be broken, let me be poured out

I'm yours to give away

Don't let my light be hidden

City on a hill, city on a hill not hidden

Light of the world, to you my heart is knit

Let all your light be more than just within me

Let it spill over, let it flood out into

the city streets

Sisters and brothers won't you come hear

the song the Savior sings

Won't you come join the song the Savior sings

Don't let my light be hidden

City on a hill, city on a hill not hidden

Come all you who are broken

hungry

humbled

Come on, come on, come on

come taste and see

dissipating fog

hours of words fill my head. rheumatoid, nodular, autoimmune, neoplasm, hirsutism. words swimming through two fatigued hemispheres. a cellphone call dissipates the haze within my head. "have you left your house yet?" I struggle to recall why I would be leaving my house. oh yeah, community group! crap, I'm almost late. I welcome the interruption and rush to Paquin Tower, doing my best to balance twelve forks, cups and plates all the while. this is a new setting for us all. A little strange, yet fresh and exciting.

we decided to move our weekly gathering from the comforts and convenience of a private residence into a public housing complex in order to reach out to an underserved and underestimated group of wonderful people. This has proved to be both challenging and beautiful.

our stories are being woven together, combining a few awkward moments drowned out by the radiant glow of new friends moved to laughter. I look around, an infant is held by a young couple, to my left a quaker eating spaghetti, to my right a man in a wheelchair talks about eating turtle soup. across from me, a woman invites us to pray for her employment opportunity, being as she finds it difficult to make each month's rent. a few college students. a man asks us to pray for him as he struggles through the effects of a mental condition. this man shines with an everlasting light. he speaks genuinely of his walk with Jesus and how He is the sustaining force in his life. I am humbled. praise God, I am humbled. have you ever experienced moments where you feel like the veil has been removed just long enough for you to see community as God intended? we each still have plenty of walls still standing in the way, but there are glimpses into God's Kingdom come on earth.

the phrase "everlasting light" is uttered by my friend with the mental condition. I pull out my phone and I share a very rough cut of a song a few friends and I wrote and recorded last month in mississippi with a lyric including the same words. we sit next to each other leaning in to hear through the small speaker. after the song is finished, he says that he wants us to perform it on the tonight show. I laugh and think of how silly that would be, but I promise to burn him a copy of the cd. "I would love that. I'll buy a cd player so I can listen to it." I am humbled again.

this move has been a good change. I see a glimpse of heaven on earth. physical needs. spiritual needs. each important. Lord, move us into action.

Songwriter's Retreat: endings and beginnings (+ quotes!)

Well, we did it. We took off from the normal, everydayness and took the plunge into the intensity of songwriting in community. In the end, we wrote and recorded 13 songs, some which came to us as one word or phrase; others with a better skeleton; still others which were mostly finished but needed the ear and voice of another living soul. All were our seed-songs, given to each other to help them grow up.

Stay tuned to hear what happens with this collection of souls and songs. Some of us are getting married; others are going to Ghana for many months. And the songs will eventually make their way into the final stages of songmaking (mixing, re-mixing, and still more mixing!) Hopefully your ear will lend a listen!

As for the rest of this writing, below are some of our favorite quotes (and pictures!) from the weekend, of which I gave context where needed to understand why something was said the way it was said (though mostly, when you're tired and silly, you don't know why you say what you say!)

from The Quote Page
Songwriter's Retreat 2010

(before recording a live clap-track for one of our songs)
"Should we clap off-beat on purpose?" Katie

"No; that'll happen naturally." Matthew

"They were so few in number but they had so many brains!"
Eric & Matthew

"I'm sorry I screwed it up (meaning the vocals in the song)." Matt
"You didn't screw it up, that's just the way you sing." Abbye

"Abbye, your voice is angelic!" Katie
"Well, it's debatable..." Abbye

"Don't touch my butt, Katie!"Matthew
"But your butt is just so touchable." Abbye (chiming in)
(Uncomfortable laughter from Matthew)
"Hey, you opened it... the can of worms, I mean, not your butt." Abbye
*Disclaimer: No one touched anyone else's butt. Ever.

(While looking at a picture being drawn)
"Is that Abbye?" Katie
"Um, well, this girl's black..." Eric

"Urethra Franklin!" Matthew
(in a conversation that somehow led to bladder infections)

"God, your company is so dreary." Matthew
(sometimes it's difficult to get those lyrics right)

"Tongue, what?!" Katie
(you really shouldn't eat from street vendors in Ghana...)

"Be astonished! We are common men with a mighty message." Eric
(Inspired by the reading of Acts 4:13)