we returned from tyi yesterday. what a great week. I remember thinking at one point, "maybe we can all just stay." but as i boarded the plane, i knew that what awaits me back home is far more in need. i had a few conversations this week that shaped me.

one was with a group of girls about friendship. it seems that we all struggle to work out relationships. we all put our heart into things that often end, not so much of our own doing. it was deepening to hear each of them pray to God about the hurts they are experiencing.

another conversation dealt with God's perfect and God's permissive will; the existence of, the rationale, the scriptural backing. it was a hard conversation but easier to get my head around when curt said he has always heard it explained as God's perfect will in the center of the circle and the permissive will surrounding that inner circle, but nothing outside of God's will. i am interested to hear thoughts on this particular topic, even though i am sure some of you have been in conversations about this very thing to an exhaustive extent. the theory is this: God has a perfect will for our lives, but b/c of sin, some things happen outside of that perfect will which fall into his permissive will. it's a question that at the heart, i know doesn't matter. my experiences and hurts and revelations will not have changed at the end of this understanding, but i would like to hear other people's opinions.

the last conversation came up as i was venting and cory said, "is it really that big a deal?" and i thought, "no, it's really not." but i didn't say that, and i should have.

so another week where God's presence was evident. another week where i saw lives changed. another week where i made myself prostrate but didn't care. another week of hard work, prayer, stretching, and new life.

posted by Kelly @ 9:43:00 AM