Follow our tutorial above to make the best Halloween candy ever!
What will make them *so good*? They’ll have your beautiful photos in them.
The Slow and Inefficient Work of God
On my drive home from class today I was reflecting on a different road I’ve been traveling. You know, that one we call life. My life road has been about as travel-friendly as the chaotic, fragmented streets of downtown Houston that I navigate each day. The last five years have been marked by impracticality, imprudence and youthful indiscretion. I would be ashamed of my former self if she was, indeed, my former, rather than present, self. As it is, wallowing in shame [as some (ahem, one) would have me do] is futile. I can’t be tamed changed. That is, I can’t change who I’ve been. As disappointed in me as some people (ahem, one person) have been, I’ve realized that I’m thankful for the path I’ve travelled. The more that I examine myself, my mind, my heart, my soul, the more I see the changes that have taken place. I’m far from perfect, but perfection has never been my objective (at least, it never should have been).
Wholeheartedness. I’ve talked about wholeheartedness before. I wrote that it isn’t the state of being unbroken, but the state of being vulnerable. I wrote that vulnerability was taking over my life.
I lied.
Of course, I didn’t mean to, it’s just that I believed it. I thought I had developed a sense of worthiness, of love, of belonging. In fact, I examine this stony exterior I have erected, and I sincerely question where it came from. Rome wasn’t built in a day, they say. Who knew I was such an architect? Fortunately, it’s as though I’ve built my fortress on sand. Is that supposed to be unfortunate? I’m sure my demise has been prophesied, as sure as I am that it would just as soon be celebrated. It is fortunate, though, because it was meant to be torn down.
The slow, inefficient work of God.
It took me forever to realize that I’ve walled myself in. It took longer for me to realize that those walls were being deconstructed, pebble by stony pebble, and that the waters of vulnerability were rushing in. It took longer, still, for me to realize who was doing it, and why.
I thought about my heart. It’s crag-like and rough. The sharp edges could pierce flesh. I want God to change my heart. Now. I want him to take away my impatience, my entitlement to not feel lonely sometimes, the way I can impose on others.
Take it away, God. Now? He gently says no as a single wave of his grace washes over.
And then another.
And then another.
I could move my heart further from the ocean and let it live untouched and unbothered by this seemingly unproductive task of rebuilding. I could build a dam around it and not let the waters in. Or I could simply sit and let the waters of grace slowly, moment by moment, smooth my heart out. The slow and inefficient work of God.
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/practical-faith/slow-and-inefficient-work-god
CAMPBELL’S LTD EDITION ANDY WARHOL SOUP CANS
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Andy Warhol’s famous soup can pop art, Campbell’s is release a limited edition set of cans with pop art Warhol-inspired labels. There will be four designs in total, each of which will don Warhol’s pop art style in bright psychedelic colors. Look for these to go on sale on September 2 exclusively available at most Target locations nationwide for $0.75 per 10.75-ounce can. I’ll take one of each, please!
