Radicalness

The Word of God transforms us more than our experience(s). Or is the living word an experience in itself?

Rom 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What can you offer?

There is always something to complain about I thought as I was filling out a planning survey for corporate. It is also the easiest thing. We can come up with more things to complain about than offer some constructive ideas on how to improve a company. So I tried to do the lather today, pointing out our strengths and how to build off of those.
Anyhow, I was reading Luke 14 as we also discussed it in bible study: V26-27 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple."
Sounds harsh, but it has to be put that way I believe because we have to know the cost up front, the cost of denying all for Christ. Does he require us to give these up to follow him? No, but we must be willing to. There is so much more to give up, but by cutting right to the things we hold so dear (our loved ones) he posses the question in the most sober way.
This got me thinking about struggling with certain passages of scripture as most have at one point or another. The one I hear a lot being "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" but I believe God allows these to be a mind struggle so we know what we believe or even to reveal who He is through it, I wish there was more of this.

Heavy Heart/Temporary absence, (A poem for LLR)

My heart is heavy in her absence
A fleeting thought that lasts all day
Reliance on the creator for rest and peace
Unsatisfied days without her voice, smile or touch
I press on in faith

A ziplock bag dinner on Wednesday
Third floor academics till late
I Love her, mon cherie
Future plans cascading the canvas
My periphery is sweet

We'll meet again on that faithful eve
When the heaviness my heart will leave
I Love her more and always shall
I Love her now
And her creator to thank for it all.