Sunsets here and there.

I’m sitting on the pier on St. Simons Island watching the sun go down out over the water. My thoughts are drifting back to the wonderful evening I spent sitting on top of the mountain in Mae Hong Son. A flood of memories come rushing back, none of which stands out more than the spirit of contentedness my heart felt that evening. Even now those same feelings are invading my heart and reminding me who I am. Who I have become. Where the lord has brought me and where he is taking me.

As I sit here and watch with gulls diving and fishing boats coming to port, I am reminded of the God I fell so madly in love with over the summer. He is the same God today, here on this pier, as He was then, on top of the mountain. And tomorrow, He’ll be the same God. His love never fails, always endures, and never ceases to amaze. No matter where I am. Whether high or low. Here or there. Western or Eastern hemisphere. He is God who loves. He is a God who saves. And he is a God who restores.

He makes everything glorious and he made me.

-junglejon.

P.s. DAWGS SON!!

Fly wheels and rear cassettes.

I love the “hum” of rubber, 700×23, tires as they tear through countless miles of pavement.

I love the “click-click” of the fly wheel as someone stops their cadence to catch a breath.

I love the “thunk” of the rear derailleur downshifting when someone jumps on the sprint.

But, this isn’t really about that.

I love looking over my shoulder, knowing the guy behind me has cracked.

I love the burn caused by muscles screamin for oxygen as you climb, climb, climb.

But, this isn’t really about that.

He makes everything glorious.

-junglejon

The Fight for Joy.

Fighting for Joy is a constant battle. Somedays the fight is too intense to focus on anything else and somedays it barely seems like a fight at all, but it’s still there. And it’s in these moments, when the guard comes down, the fight becomes tough again. Round after round of countless blows. And just when it seems the fight is too much, our Savior proves his name. He saves the day and gives us reason for hope.

I look back at all the ways the Lord has blessed me in the last few months and my heart fills with joy. Seeing how the Lord has used people, places, and events to mend what was once broken makes me want o jig dance. In this way, I fight for my joy. I stand strong in the tough places and thank the Lord for all he has taught me and brought me through. No, in all my trials, troubles, and hurts, my joy knows no bounds.

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way He loves me.

- How he Loves, John Mark McMillan

-junglejon