The Rock:

(Side note: I know that it has been a while since I last blogged, but like most breaks, this is a serious moment in the chronicles of my story.)

How many of you have seen the movie with this title? Good movie, but that is not what this blog is about. However, in the movie, Alchatraz was named "The Rock" because no one gets in and no one gets out. What is interesting is that as a Christian, God is my "Rock". He isn't a tough prison, but he is my castle in which I can hide away without worry of invasion. But like The Rock, I cannot escape His love for me. I can step outside of His protection, but whatever I do, no matter how it breaks His heart, He still loves me and has concern for me. How truly awe-striking this thought is.

This thought has been sturred not only by my own personal journey, but also the journey of a close friend. Being home, I get to catch up with my best friends from home and mainly Ryan Brosious. Ry is an amazing guy (I wish you all could know him) that has been my brother for the past couple of years. Right now he is going through a huge test of faith and has taken refuge in The Rock. Ry has been in what I believe to be a God-given relationship for a while with a sweet and cool girl named Ang. The two are not only a perfect match, but she cherishes him. there was one time over the summer that he was not doing too well in the stress department (he has a job that we were worried would kill him) and she called me, being his best friend, to stop in and make sure that he was alright. That meant mounds to him and improved my impression of her (not that she was a bad girl or anything, just added appreciation... btw - this short rabbit trail is the help emphasize a detail). Unfortunately, she has a very bad family background and is going through a hard time. Basicly, her 'rents are not letting her have ANY contact (phone, visits, ANYTHING) with anyone that shows her any form of love outside their immediate family. To me and the rest of the world, this is utterly retarded. It has been a month since Ry has seen her and has help so fast to God. She calls him from school because that is all she's got. Even in the midst of her storm, she gives encouragement to Ryan and urges him to continue relying on God because right now He's all they've got to hold on to in the relationship.

So if you're reading this blog and have an extra minute... send one up to God for Ryan and Ang (also for finances formy India trip and that the US doesn't take Iraq to war before then)... but if you're reading this blog and not in a relationship with God....get that one worked out and THEN pray for them.