I like my name. I like hearing my name (usually). And I like that my name has a silent “j”.  More than that,

I want to become my name.

[anointed follower of Yeshua-Jesus, a joy]

I don’t want to be a fake-faced happy Christian.

I don’t want to pretend or do what makes you like me.

I want to well up with authentic joy.

I want to cry and know (really know) it will be okay.

I want to laugh…more.

I want to hear (not just listen).

I want to emanate hope.

I want to perceive circumstances with eyes that see beyond circumstance.

I want to sing when it hurts.

I want to stand when I’d rather vanish.

I want to be who Father made me to be. For His kingdom. Part of His unfolding story of redemption.

…

“But now, this is what the Lord says– he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43)

Last week when this Text was read at church, I about started dancing (okay, maybe not…but you know the feeling). It says Father created Jacob & He formed Israel…can you see it??? Ahhhhh!!! Such beauty!

In the ancient Near East, names carried one’s destiny. Names brimmed with meaning and hope – like Samson (Son of Light) & Delilah (Darkness).  All of life was built around becoming your name.

Then there’s Jacob…”layer of snares”.  How depressing, huh?!…except that He was formed by Father, who redeems. He calls us by name, and He gives new names. He shifts our destiny; He reclaims our “then” and creates a new “now”. He opens wide the gate to who we are becoming.

In His Story, “Layer of Snares” doesn’t remain a cheater, he becomes “One Who Wrestles with God”.

Deceiver engages with God and is never the same. Now he limps, but he loves God enough to fight Him; to wrestle with the mystery of Three-In-One. To ask and ask and not let go until he gets a response.

And in this unexpected turn of events the people of God are birthed. Israel, Father’s chosen, receives her name. She enters The Story, and eternity will never be the same.

The Lord is one who creates and forms.

He redeems.

He calls us by name.

And He says, “You are mine.”

May we take Him at His word, and may eternity never be the same.

Hiking 7 Bridges in Cheyene Canyon…best place to hike in the Springs. Here we are on bridge five. Thanks, Nate, for catching me in a photo while I took one of you all. :)

A few girls and I made it up to St. Mary’s Falls before they had to head out of town. Such a peaceful hike…well, besides the intense incline toward the top. Hikers on their way down kept commenting “it’s totally worth it…” leaving us to wonder what we had gotten ourselves into. Actually, it wasn’t that bad; a meaningful & memorable morning.

Can’t go through a summer without making it to a baseball game! This year’s game included the added bonus of a lightening storm (which eventually led to a rain delay). Bummer!

Celebrating Independence Day…with cotton candy given to us (a bit sketch, I know) as the fair was closing due to a coming onslaught of rain…during which we hunkered down at Wisdom Tea House for some chai & cards. One of my favorite days this summer.

Graduation….where did this summer go?!

Ohhh, I love my Omegas! What a fun crew this summer. :) And the faces in this photo…priceless.

“Jesus wants me to tell you again…how much is the love He has for each one of you-beyond all what you can imagine…Not only He loves you, even more-He longs for you. He misses you when you don’t come close. He thirsts for you. He loves you always, even when you don’t feel worthy…Until you know deep inside that Jesus thirsts for you-you can’t begin to know who He wants to be for you. Or who He wants you to be for Him.”

-Mother Teresa

Evidently my entire blog has disappeared into the vast reaches of nothingness. The remnants have been gathered & I’m starting again. Sometimes we just need a fresh start on life, evidently this is my opportunity.

Kjersten’s brother here…

I must confess that I deleted Kjersten’s entire blog.  O SNAP!  Sorry to one and all for this catastrophic fail.  fail.  fail.

Please be patient while we put everything back in order around here.  The only thing we can’t bring back are all of your lovely comments… so once you start seeing a few posts comment a whole bunch.

Thanks!

Jordan