English is a funny little language.

I watched the sunrise this morning.
I say this with some laughter, because the sun didn’t really rise, per say... The best description I can think of is that the sky became a little less grey, and a little more blue. The clouds continued to drizzle, and I continued to stand there with a pink blanket around my shoulders until I figured that it couldn’t get any bluer outside, and decided to return to my 8th floor lair.

I was reminded of something quite important that my pastor talked about last night in church.

God never fails.

This is a truth that is fundamental to our entire belief system as Christians, and yet sometimes it’s difficult to see. We all find ourselves standing in a dark place, and even the strongest of us, those reliant on the belief that God does NOT fail, are left asking, “God, have you failed me?”

I stood on the roof this morning. All by myself, me and my God. I was waiting for his sun to rise. And you know what? I didn’t see it. But does that mean that the sun didn’t rise? Of course not.
The fact that I could see anything at all was evidence that the sun was there. Not only did I believe that the sun had risen, I KNEW that it had. I know that each sunrise represents a new day. I know that without sunlight, even in the slightest form, I would have all consuming darkness.
I did not stand in darkness and drizzle this morning. I stood in rain, and I stood in light. It didn’t look like a post card, and to some people, it probably looked like I was standing in the pit of hell. But God was there, and even when I couldn’t see it clearly, or hardly at all, the evidence was clear:

God never fails. His sun has risen. His son has risen.

Little did I know, this was just the beginning.

Coming to The King's College was a big step for me. I moved 730 miles away from my family and friends, to the middle of New York City, knowing no one.  I knew that God had called me here, and that because He wanted me to be here, He would make it happen. Finances, flights, everything. I had peace about my decision, and was willing to follow God's plan, knowing that he would give me a life that would not be disappointing. A life of abundance, and a world of joy.

This year at King's has challenged me, and through challenges, I've grown. I learned though friendships, I learned about myself, and I worked on coming to a place where God was everything I needed, and that my security is in my God, not in my self, or my city, or my friends. I'm not saying that I'm perfect at this, or that I'm finished learning by any means; I'm just noticing the growth.

I am not returning to The King's College next year.



I'll let that sink in for a moment.



I'm not returning, but I have a very good reason why: God has something even better. Better than New York, better than King's, better book publishing.

I'm going to be a pastor, and the reason that I'm not coming back to King's, is that I am going to work for a year, and (prayerfully!) attend the Hillsong School of Leadership in July of 2013. Hillsong is in Sydney. Sydney is in Australia.

That's right, I'm quitting King's, working for a year, and moving to Australia to become a pastor.

And you know what?


I am so excited.


I am also overcome with peace and confirmation about this, and I hope that you will stand with me. This is a big step, even bigger than my original "atmospheric leap." I am leaving my country behind, to go after the heart of my Jesus, who died and rose again. Much of the world celebrated that today- on Easter. Today was beautiful.

 I honestly believe that this is God's plan for my life, and could not be more excited, which gives me even further confidence that this is God- who knew I'd ever be okay with moving from New York? But Sydney... Sydney! I can't wait!


 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."  -Matthew 11:28-30

My life is just beginning. I cannot wait.

Take the world.

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. -Philippians 1:9-11

Thoughts

Walking down the street, I notice stands that advertise, "Tourist Information!" 
For what? I wonder to myself. Oh. For all of this. The Empire State Building. Everything.

Walking home from work, I found myself weaving and dodging between tourists and families, walking when there were no cars, and even walking when there were. The faint smell of the cigarette perched between two fingers of the man in front of me drifts towards my nose, but only for a fleeting moment before a rush of cool wintery air wraps around us.

I saw a bunch of students walking around in circles with drums and flags, sewn with some kind of Asian character symbols, presumably Korean. There is joy on their faces, and they have a pride in their community. They don't draw a huge crowd, but people from every race are standing and watching–enjoying.

Women with fantastic accents and dark nail polish come into work, (Starbucks... Did I mention that?) not to be tourists, but for work... Fashion Week starts on Monday, after all.

As I walk home, carrying relatively heavy groceries, the chill nips at my ears, and the sidewalks are crowded with people. This is a place of happiness and sadness, habits and traditions, saying hello to new friends, or for goodbyes, to your dad, after he snagged a cheap flight and got to come visit you for a few days. Most places you walk, even if your feet are killing you sometimes. Right or left, skyscraper to subway, homeless or housed,

I love New York.