rest for the weary...

Went to "The Gathering" at West Side Christian Church and loved it. I love that community. I love having another support group off of campus. It helps remind me that this thing is so much bigger than just the campus of UIS. It also gets me more excited to serve at UIS because the passion for service at West Side just kind of kicks me in the butt every time i go there.

Anyway, Melissa Sandel spoke about community. The young adult group at West Side is totally on the same page as CSF. It seems to be all about this whole community thing. She stressed the HUGE importance of how we should not just come to each other for accountability on certain problems. we should be coming to each other and basically giving an account of our entire days down to the last mundane detail. She said that for those with whom we live our lives on a day to day basis, we should remember that what we do, good or bad, has an impact on those around us. For us to hide that from others isn't only gonna hurt ourselves, it's gonna have an impact on others as well.


I'm encouraged to see Herschel, West Side, and those around me all throwing around this idea of community. Clearly God must be big and most definitely must be up to something. But it's hard for me a lot. I struggle with being vulnerable in front of others. I want to be strong for myself and for those around me. I'm raised in a society that encourages individualism, not community. Forget honesty. "Real men" don't cry, embrace, kiss, feel sad, hurt, or let anything phase them.

it's all such a lie. What reason do i have to hold this stuff back?


There's so much I love to hang onto. There are so many stones that i wish would not be unturned. So many rats in the cellar. So many things that make me feel like i should isolate myself from others. So many reasons to hide behind a bush and hope God doesn't see the tasted fruits lying all around me.

All those will be exposed one day, why must i live as if they're not there? Open, childlike honesty seems to be the only defense against the lies of guilt and shame that satan pours onto us when we hide stuff from God and others.

why would i hide from such a love that is found only in Him and is caught in glimpses through others? This song means so much to me

Rest For the Weary

Hey, it’s me
I’m sorry it’s so late
I can’t sleep
I knew You’d be awake (Psalm 121:4)
You’re always home
Waiting by the phone
For nights like these
When I’m feeling all alone

I wish it didn’t always
Have to be this way
I wish that I could talk to You
Face to face
But nothing compares to the way
You always listen and know just what to say

Hold my hand
I can’t stand alone
Here I am
Waiting for You to take me home

Oh, I just want to sing
I only wish there was a word
For what You mean to me
I would only say it once
In hushed tones
So it would not grow old
But all I have
Is “I love You”

You’re my Jesus, You’re my hero
Everything I wish that I could be

You’re the one who comforts me
When everyone is gone away
I can’t stand alone
Here I am
Waiting for You to take me home

And I will keep on singing
Because You hear me
And I will keep on smiling
Because You’re near me

I’ll sleep well on a promise tonight.

have a good night guys
-dave