Week 36/52 - A Place Only You Can Go

oh, I know this song won't do
enough to prove my love to you
in my heart you'll always know
there is a place only love can go
there is a place only you can go

My lovely friend Emily from a lovely Sunday afternoon. 

Isn't her smile contagious? (: 

Week 35/52 - Healing Begins

so you thought you had to keep this up 
all the work that you do 
so we think that you're good 
and you can't believe it's not enough 
all the walls you built up 
are just glass on the outside 

so let 'em fall down 
there's freedom waiting in the sound 
when you let your walls fall to the ground 
we're here now 

this is where the healing begins, oh 

this is where the healing starts 
when you come to where you're broken within 
the light meets the dark 

Just think about that.  Think about the fatigue of all the pretense and carefully executed impressions we try to make.  Think about the shattering of our self protection and self promotion.  Think about the explosion that happens when God's healing meets with our pain.  Think about the calm that follows the chaos of the storm.  

Now that you're brain is dead from all that thinking, a little bit about this photo.  That's my roomie, Shelby.  I love her.  Most of the time.  She loves sunshine.  All of the time, as you can tell - the photo is completely candid - she didn't even know I had the camera out. (;

Week 34/52 - Slumber

  

days they force you

back under those covers

lazy mornings they multiply

but glory's waiting

outside your window
so wake on up from your slumber
baby, open up your eyes

I love the colors of the sky.  Even if you're not a morning person, you should try getting up for the sunrise sometime.  And hey, after you enjoy it for a while you could always go back to sleep!  But really.  Mornings are beautiful and this life He's given has so much to offer...so open up your eyes (: 

Thank you to my sweet friend Rachel for modeling for me at just the right time!

Week 33/52 - Perfect

you're so mean when you talk

about yourself - you are wrong

change the voices in your head

make them like you instead

Taken at Woodlands camp during a momentary lapse in the craziness of our two week trek down the East Coast in January.  I don't know why, but I just had that one phrase in my head from a song I heard somewhere while I was editing this photo and couldn't get away from it.  Although I doubt this concept was the the intent of the original author, I know that it is a constant battle for me and many people to "change the voices" we listen to in our heads.  The voices of ourselves, the voices of those around us, society, lies straight from the enemy - all of them loud, confusing and chaotic.  It's a constant, conscious mental decision to change the voices of discouragement, despair, and condemnation to encouragement, hope, and freedom.  Even more important than telling yourself positive things is ultimately listening to that Still, Small Voice that speaks only truth and love.  

Week 32/52 - Getting Into You

I'm getting into you 
because you got to me, in a way words can't describe
I'm getting into you 
because I've got to be
Your essential to survive
I'm going to love you with my life

I've been a liar and I'll never amount to
the kind of person you deserve to worship you
You say you will not dwell on what I did but rather what I do you say
I love you and that's what you are getting yourself into

This song.  I stumbled upon it this morning - it's been a long time since I heard it.  It speaks for itself, and if I tried to explain it I would just be repeating the lyrics.  But as I was sitting in the coffee shop with sunshine streaming in through the windows thinking about how scary it is to step out in faith, how unworthy I am of any of His love and protection and I heard "I LOVE YOU and THAT'S what you're getting yourself into," all the doubts and fears were washed away.  I was overwhelmed by how big and forgiving and constant His love for me really is.  

This picture.  Is from a year ago almost exactly.  In the middle of Alaska winter I would get an urge to shoot, an idea, or the snow would be perfect and I would just get in the car and drive somewhere.  I had the time, was on my own schedule and was undeterred by the cold. Oh, those were the days.  I can look back a year on this blog and find another photo that I posted from this shoot - and I can remember wanting the time to slow down so I didn't have to grow up anymore.  But time didn't stop moving on, and neither did I. 

 Oh how grateful I am for photos and the seemingly uneventful memories they can bring back.  

I guess today was a day to ramble on a bit.

Week 31/52 - Love Alone is Worth the Fight

I'm trying to find where my place is 
I'm looking for my own oasis 
so close I can taste this 
the fear that love alone erases 

so I'm back to the basics 
I figure it's time I face this 
time to take my own advice 

love alone is worth the fight 
love alone is worth the fight 

and I never thought it'd come to this 
but it seems like I'm finally feeling numb to this 
the funny thing about a name is 
you forget what the reason you were playing the game is 

love alone is worth the fight 

love alone is worth the fight

I came upon this song through an interesting set of circumstances and it fit perfectly not only with the picture, but with something I'm learning right now.  There's so much chaos that I could focus on and pros and cons and fear and trust and pain and joy; it can be such a game of politics, popularity, insecurity and pride.  But honestly, the bottom line is - love alone IS worth the fight.  And I have access to a kind of love that is bigger, stronger, and more constant than anything the rest of the world could offer me: Christ.  He didn't have to save me, but He did.  He doesn't have to love me, but He does.  Not only is that kind of love worth fighting the world's despair for, but it's also the kind of love that will keep me fighting for others too.  

God is love.  I never want to forget that. 

Week 30/52 - From the Inside Out

a thousand times I've failed
still your mercy remains
and should I stumble again
still I'm caught in your grace

everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

my heart and my soul, I give You control
consume me from the inside out Lord
let justice and praise, become my embrace
to love You from the inside out

The phrase "Your light will shine in all else fades" played in my head immediately when I was editing this photo.  There's such truth in it.  I remember so many times when everywhere I turned there was darkness...BUT.  There was a light at the end of the tunnel, and when I turned to face God in His glory I was blinded by the reminder that He was my only escape from the darkness.  He was enough.  And the kind of love that resulted from that realization consumed me from the inside out.  Even in listening to this song again weeks later and writing up this post, chills ran through me as I listened to the words and was overcome again with a desire to just give Him control.  

Challenge-wise, I have much to catch up on.  I have some photos that I've shot and been waiting to post so those will probably be used up in the next week or so, and then I'll hopefully be caught up - and start shooting some new stuff again.  So many things stewing around in my head!