well, i am at masterworks in winona lake indiana. i am already approaching the end of week one. crazy. it is wonderful to be back. there are the most AMAZING people here... i can't even begin to tell you. i am busy. tired. overwhelmed (a little). excited. ETC. it is so cool to be surrounded by SO MANY christian musicians... in ONE place. it's unlike anything i have ever experienced outside of MWF.

as usual, i am not good at sharing profound insights or things i'm learning (in my own words, at least)... but here is yet another super encouraging devotional i received in my inbox this morning. God bless you all =) <3

The Desires of My Heart (by: elisabeth elliot)

I had been praying for something I wanted very badly. It seemed a good thing to have, a thing that would make life even more pleasant than it is, and would not in any way hinder my work. God did not give it to me. Why? I do not know all of his reasons, of course. The God who orchestrates the universe has a good many things to consider that have not occurred to me, and it is well that I leave them to Him. But one thing I do understand: He offers me holiness at the price of relinquishing my own will.

"Do you honestly want to know Me?" He asks. I answer yes. "Then do what I say," He replies. "Do it when you understand it; do it when you don't understand it. Take what I give you; be willing not to have what I do not give you. The very relinquishment of this thing that you so urgently desire is a true demonstration of the sincerity of your lifelong prayer: Thy will be done.

So instead of hammering on heaven's door for something which it is now quite clear God does not want me to have, I make my desire an offering. The longed-for thing is material for sacrifice. Here, Lord, it's yours.

Got this devo in my inbox this morning... Elisabeth Elliot. it is EXACTLY what i needed this morning. It is possible I am the only one that needed it- in fact, that's even more cool. But I didn't want to keep something awesome from all of you... just in case ;) So read and *SIGH*.... =) God is awesome.

Spiritual Equilibrium

Sometimes a hope or desire lays hold on one with such power that it becomes almost burdensome, even though the thing is a delight to contemplate. The ordinary business of life must be attended to, but this thing carries a lot of weight in soul, mind, and heart. It has a strong pull. And when you are carrying a heavy weight, you have to compensate in order to keep your balance. The best means to spiritual equilibrium, I find, is to look repeatedly at the things which are not seen, that is, at things which are eternal. What Evelyn Underhill calls "the pressure of the Divine Charity" forever urges me forward, counteracting the pressure of my emotions and human desires, reminding me with great patience and great persistence that this thing--this love, this longing, this huge desire--is the very thing God Himself gave, in order that I might have "somewhat to offer." He will see to it that it does not come to nothing, provided we lay it before Him, put it at his disposal.